Language-in-Action Lab (LinA-Lab)

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:

• Corpora available at LinA-Lab
• Corpus analyses software (WordSmith Tools, AntConc)
• Freely available online corpora and TV scripts which can be used as corpora
• Further information on corpora and Corpus Linguistics
• Web tools, corpus-analysis programs and manuals
• Software for statistical analysis (SPSS, R)
• Information on statistics for linguistics
• Corpus-based dictionaries, reference grammars and user guides

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. Further information can be found here.

Resources:

• Three Windows computers (of course, you can also bring your own)
• Recording equipment (e.g. for conducting and recording roleplays)
• Transcription software (Audacity, Praat, F4)
• Online tools and information on transcription and creating surveys
• Screen casting software (Camtasia Studio 8)
• Statistics software (SPSS, R)
• Information on statistics for linguistics
• User guides

Um etwas ausleihen zu können, muss zunächst ein Ausleihformular heruntergeladen, in zweifacher Ausfertigung gedruckt und von einem Dozenten/einer Dozentin und der Ausleiherin/des Ausleihers unterschrieben werden. Zuvor ist die Ausleihordnung zu lesen. Mit der Unterschrift auf dem Formular wird diese anerkannt.