Corpus Linguistics and Linguistic Theory

Published by De Gruyter Mouton

Volume 4 Issue 1

Issue of Corpus Linguistics and Linguistic Theory

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Contents
Journal Overview

June 3, 2008

A corpus-based study on random textual vocabulary coverage

Fan Fengxiang

Page range: 1-17

Abstract

This paper investigates the random textual vocabulary coverage of the nine domains in the BNC using sets of five hundred 2000-word samples randomly drawn from each of the domains. Random textual vocabulary coverage is the coverage by the vocabulary of a text or a collection of texts of any given length over that of another text or a collection of texts of any given length. The estimation of random textual vocabulary coverage depends on the determination of the relationship between vocabulary size and text length. Brunet's model proves to be robust in capturing such relationship. A mathematical estimator for random textual vocabulary coverage is developed incorporating Brunet's model. A method for computing the 95% random textual vocabulary coverage interval is also devised.

June 3, 2008

A collocation-based approach to Nepali postpositions

Andrew Hardie

Page range: 19-43

Abstract

Using the Nepali National Corpus, a collocation-based technique is applied to the categorization of Nepali postpositions. Ergative le , accusative lāī , and genitive ko/kā/kī are frequently considered in the literature to be part of the Nepali nominal inflection paradigm, but opinion differs on other postpositions. The most significant collocations of several postpositions are examined for patterns that characterize postpositions as a category or categories. Two overarching patterns — collocation with semantically coherent nouns, and collocation with words for which the postposition functions as a subcategorizer — are identified. The analysis of some postpositions as part of the nominal paradigm is not supported by the analysis of these patterns. However, postpositions traditionally seen as part of the nominal paradigm do collocate more with non-lexical words, especially pronouns.

June 3, 2008

Deciding on units of analysis within Centering Theory

Maite Taboada

Page range: 63-108

Abstract

Many efforts in corpora annotation start with segmenting discourse into units of analysis. In this paper, we present a method for deciding on segmentation units within Centering Theory (Grosz et al. 1995). We survey the different existing methods to break down discourse into utterances and discuss the results of a comparison study among them. The contribution of our study is that it was carried out with spoken data and in two different languages (English and Spanish). Our comparison suggests that the best unit of analysis for Centering-based annotation is the finite clause. The final result is a set of guidelines for how to segment discourse for Centering analysis, which is also potentially applicable to other analyses.

June 3, 2008

Sampson, Geoffrey and Diana McCarthy, Corpus Linguistics: Readings in a Widening Discipline

Milica Gačić

Page range: 109-113

June 3, 2008

Lenker, Ursula and Anneli Meurman-Solin (eds.), Connectives in the History of English

Martin Hilpert

Page range: 113-117

About this journal

Objective
Corpus Linguistics and Linguistic Theory (CLLT) is a peer-reviewed journal publishing high-quality original corpus-based research focusing on theoretically relevant issues in all core areas of linguistic research, or other recognized topic areas. It provides a forum for researchers from different theoretical backgrounds and different areas of interest that share a commitment to the systematic and exhaustive analysis of naturally occurring language. Contributions from all theoretical frameworks are welcome but they should be addressed at a general audience and thus be explicit about their assumptions and discovery procedures and provide sufficient theoretical background to be accessible to researchers from different frameworks.

Topics

Corpus Linguistics
Quantitative Linguistics
Phonology
Morphology
Semantics
Syntax
Pragmatics

Article formats
Research Articles

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