English corpus linguistics

Aims

Aims

The aim of this module is to further your understanding of the structure of the English language and its use. In this topic-based module, we will use large-scale corpus data (written and spoken) to explore aspects of the structure of English. The approach will be broadly quantitative, and topics will be explored from both a synchronic and diachronic viewpoint. We will compare, contrast and relate theoretical and empirical approaches to the study of language. The emphasis throughout will be on data collection and analysis, descriptive adequacy, argumentation, and written/oral presentation skills.

By the end of the module, students will be able to:

• Make use of corpus data to investigate different aspects of language use
• Recognise and explain complex patterns in linguistic data
• Form valid generalisations about language from corpus data
• Express grammatical concepts clearly and concisely
• Design and carry out a small research project using corpus data
• Summarise and present findings in a style appropriate to the norms of the discipline
• Understand and apply basic statistical concepts relevant to linguistic analysis
  

This module will be capped at 30.

Prerequisites

Prerequisites

Students must have successfully completed at least ONE of the following:

• E01C Structure of English
  OR
  
• E02C History of English I
  

Programme

Programme

Contact hours

• Spring term: 3 hours a week
• Summer term: 1 hour a week
  

Teaching programme

Classes in the spring term consist of lectures, seminars, and related practical sessions. The seminars involve the presentation and discussion of the primary literature led by students in groups. Practical sessions involve working with corpora, and students should be prepared to learn the details of using these largely on their own with the help of a manual. The majority of the data analysis involves using simple statistical techniques, which will be taught, but may require a significant amount of self-study to master. The module content may vary from year to year, but all topics are viewed from a diachronic as well as a synchronic viewpoint; however, the time-depth will be shallow (no further back than Early Modern English) so no knowledge of Old or Middle English is required.

The summer term consists of workshops devoted to project work. Projects will involve either a synchronic or diachronic corpus study focussing on some aspect of one of the topics studied in the module. Students with sufficient background in History of English may do projects involving older stages of the language if they wish.

Teaching materials

A pack of selected readings will be made available.

Assessment and feedback

Assessment and feedback

Feedback on formative work

• Oral feedback during teaching sessions and in surgery hour by appointment.

Summative assessment and feedback

• Dossier of exercises, due in week 1, term 3
  • Weight: 30%
  • Feedback: a mark on the university scale and written comments within three weeks of submission
    
• Project report, due in week 5, term 3
  • Weight 70%
  • Feedback: a mark on the university scale and written comments within four weeks of submission
    

Skills

Transferable skills developed in this module

All modules provide an opportunity to work on general oral/written communication skills (in class and in assessments) and general self management (organising your studies), alongside the specific skills in language or linguistics that the module teaches.

In addition to these, this module will allow you to particularly develop skills in the application of IT/numeracy skills. In this module you will learn to extract linguistic data from large electronic corpora using various types of software. You will need to organize, manipulate, analyse and quantify this data electronically in order to investigate questions about real-world language use.

Follow this link to hear how past students use transferable skills from their degree in their current jobs.