Analysis of chinese-english mixed language query reformulation strategies and patterns during web searching

Abstract

With the increasing number of multilingual webpages on the Internet, cross-language information retrieval has become an important research issue. In cultures where people speak both Chinese and English, using mixed language in oral speaking and web searching is a common phenomenon. This study employs semi-structured interviews and query log analysis to examine the query reformulation strategies and patterns regarding Chinese-English mixed language queries, and to determine why search engine users utilize certain reformulation strategies. The results can inform information scientists and IR system designers to enhance cross-language controlled vocabularies and develop discovery platforms for multilingual content, and improve search engines to provide users with more relevant results. The findings could also be expanded to other language combinations that would improve search engine designs.