Robinson Crusoe for L2 Learners. A study in simplified literature

Abstract

In this study the issue of simplification of literary texts has been analysed. A comparison between passages from the original text of Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe and the simplified versions of these texts. The RANGE computer program has been used to compare the word frequency of the texts, with the findings that little has changed in the simplified texts. Analyses of the contents of the texts show that the main essence of the author’s focus remain in the simplified version and that the simplified text contains enough information to be called authentic as far as content goes. What lacks in the simplified text is cohesion, which results in a text that is comprehensible to its content but needs more linking to fully work as a good simplified text for L2 readers.