LinA-Lab

The Laboratory for Empirical Research on Language in Action (LinA-Lab) in C5.022 offers methodological advice and technical assistance (via workshops and office hours) in eliciting and analysing language data. The lab is an initiative of the Chair of English Linguistics and co-operates with the Method Centre of the Leuphana. Our aim is to provide support with language data collection procedures for empirical research, including questionnaires, interviews, experiments and corpus-linguistic methods. You also have the opportunity to work directly in the Lab during our Opening Hours.

The following resources are available at LinA-Lab:

  • Three Windows computers to work at
  • A large range of language corpora
  • Recording equipment
  • Transcription software (f4/ 5 transcript)
  • text analysis software (f4 analyse)
  • Various reference books

There are many methods of data collection in Linguistics. Here we distinguish between:

Corpus linguistic methods, i.e. the use of large, ready-made digital collections of naturally occurring language, known as language corpora, for linguistic analysis using specially designed software.

Field and laboratory methods, i.e. field methods being methods used to collect naturally-occurring data; laboratory methods being methods designed to collect language data using interviews, simulations, roleplays, questionnaires, etc.

We regularly offer workshops on various topics, please find more information here.

Accessibility: Please contact us if you require accessible access to the LinA-Lab, and we will work with you to find individual solutions to suit your needs.

Borrowing

In order to borrow something, a borrowing form must first be downloaded, printed in dupblicate and signed by a lecturer and the borrower. A deposit of € 20 is required to borrow a resource, and €10 is added for each additional resource. The borrowing regulations must be read beforehand. The signature on the form acknowledges this. More information

Corpus Linguistics

Corpus linguistics is the study of language using large, digitalised collections of naturally occurring spoken and written texts, known as language corpora. Rather than a discipline on a par with morphology, syntax or pragmatics, corpus linguistics is an empirical methodology for exploring language as it is actually used by its speakers. Since its conception in the 1960s, and especially in the 21st century, corpus linguistic methodology has been applied in almost all fields of linguistics, from speech prosody and grammar to semantics, pragmatics and sociolinguistics. Furthermore, the existence of a variety of synchronic and diachronic corpora is an excellent basis for observing language change and variation. Corpus linguistics has numerous practical applications as well, e.g. in translation, forensics, and, crucially for future teachers, in the foreign language classroom.

Resources:

Field and Laboratory Methods

The high degree of subjectivity associated with intuition means that empirical linguists rely rather on observable data of human’s linguistic behaviour in favour of intuition. Field methods, involving collecting naturally-occurring data for use in linguistic analysis, are one possibility of accessing data. Data elicitation methods, such as interviews, roleplays, questionnaires, etc. are other frequently employed methods of data collection. In the end of the day, it is the research question which determines the choice of methods, both field and laboratory methods offering particular strengths, but also limitations.

Resources:

LinA-Lab

Universitätsallee 1, C 5.022
21335 Lüneburg
Telephone: +49.4131.677-1690
linalab@leuphana.de

 

 

Opening hours

Monday, 12/02/2024, 2pm-4pm (Carolin)

Thursday, 22/02/2024, 10am-12pm (Mirja)

Thursday, 07/03/2024, 12pm-2pm (Henk)

Thursday, 21/03/2024, 10am-12pm (Mirja)

Or individual appointment by arrangement (by e-mail).

 

 

New Workshops

Please register via myStudy

Overview of all workshops