Description
This book examines approaches to carrying out discourse analysis (DA) using techniques that are grounded in corpus linguistics. Assuming no prior knowledge of corpora, the book examines and evaluates a variety of corpus-based methodologies including:
· collocations
· keyness
· concordances
· dispersion plots
· building and annotating corpora
Illustrated with a number of real-life examples of corpus-based DA from a range of sources and covering a variety of subjects, this is an informative introduction to using corpus linguistics as a methodology in discourse analysis.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Corpus Building
3. Frequency and Dispersion
4. Concordances
5. Collates
6. Beyond Collocation
7. Keyness
8. Conclusion
Bibliography
Index
Author(s)
Paul Baker,
Paul Baker is Senior Lecturer in Linguistics and Modern English language at Lancaster University, UK
Reviews
'We are given examples of research which demonstrate the various techniques and these can be intriguing...Using Corpora in Discourse Analysis should indeed build bridges, for those who are not already using them, but it will also be useful to anyone interested in language as it is used in texts...the generative nature of the techniques should be stimulating for all those who monitor language use...'
Alison Duguid,
"Baker (linguistics and English, Lancaster University, UK) looks at how corpora (computerized collections of naturally occurring language samples) can be used for discourse analysis. The book has four particular strengths. First, the author explains corpus methodologies thoroughly, including frequency and dispersion, concordances, collocates, and keyness. Second, the grounds his explanations in concrete analyses of discourse used in tourism brochures, fox-hunting debates, and news articles on refugees (among other texts), thereby offering exemplars of the methodology; included are several tabular examples of analysis. And fourth, he explores the strengths and limitations of corpus analysis, explaining the need for self-reflection with respect to methodological decision-making. An excellent guide to the scope and method of corpus linguistics as applied to discourse analysis, this book on research methods will be valuable to those in linguistics, rhetoric and communication, literary theory and other humanities fields."
C.R. Haller, CUNY, Choice Reviews,
"Is a necessity for any researcher, practioner or student interested in the interplay of content, discourse and corpus linguistics. It is a practical, hands-on guide that articulately explores the complex workings of corpora building and analysis. It is a valuable contribution for both the novice exploring the field and the more experienced scholar aiming to refresh their understanding of this ever-growing, ever-evolving discipline.
Discourse Studies
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