Corpus Linguistics: Method, Analysis, Interpretation

Offered By: Lancaster University via FutureLearn

Course Description

Overview

Learn how to build and query corpora in this practical course

On this course, you’ll get a practical introduction to corpus linguistics, an extremely versatile methodology of language analysis using computers.

Over eight weeks, you’ll build the skills necessary to collect and analyse large digital collections of text (corpora).

You’ll be introduced to a number of topics demonstrating the use of corpora in areas as diverse as discourse analysis, sociolinguistics, and language learning and teaching.

This course is designed for anyone with an interest in the study of language.

Syllabus

Introduction to corpus linguistics

Introduction to the corpus linguistics course and the FutureLearn platform
Introduction to corpus linguistics
Test your knowledge
How to analyse a corpus - practical activity
Readings for week 1
Week 1 discussion
In conversation with Elena Semino
In conversation with Ruth Avon
In conversation with Tony McEnery
Corpus linguistics at Lancaster University

A look at language

A look at language
Test your knowledge
How to analyse a corpus - practical activity
Readings for week 2
Week 2 discussion
In conversation with Geoffrey Leech and Michael Hoey
Supplementary materials for week 2
More information about corpus linguistics

Compare and contrast – corpus based discourse analysis

Compare and contrast - corpus based discourse analysis
Test your knowledge
How to analyse a corpus - practical activity
Readings for week 3
Week 3 discussion
In conversation with Paul Baker, Steve Young and Basil Germond
Supplementary materials for week 3

How do you build a corpus?

Build a corpus
How to analyse a corpus - practical activity
Corpus building toolkit
Readings for week 4
Week 4 discussion
Week 4 assessment
In conversation with Kearsy Cormier, Alistair Baron, Vaclav Brezina and Paul Rayson
Supplementary materials for week 4
More information about corpus linguistics

Corpus linguistics and sociolinguistics

Looking at social variation through corpora
Test your knowledge
How to analyse a corpus - practical activity
Readings for week 5
Week 5 discussion
In conversation with Miriam Meyerhoff, Jonathan Culpeper, Claire Hardaker and Mike Scott
Supplementary materials for week 5

Language testing and corpus linguistics

Corpora in language testing
Test your knowledge
How to analyse a corpus - practical activity
Readings for week 6
Week 6 discussion
In conversation with Luke Harding and Michael Rundell
Supplementary materials for week 6

Language learning and corpus linguistics

Language learning and corpus linguistics
Test your knowledge
How to analyse a corpus - practical activity
Readings for week 7
Week 7 discussion
In conversation with Costas Gabrielatos, Chris Tribble, Patrick Hanks and Elaine Boyd
Supplementary materials for week 7

Speech - a swearing extravaganza

A swearing extravaganza
How to analyse a corpus - practical activity
Readings for week 8
Week 8 discussion
Final Assessment
Concluding activity
In conversation with Geoffrey Leech, Doug Biber and Vaclav Brezina
Supplementary materials for week 8
Where next?

Taught by

Tony McEnery