Multi-Dimensional studies (MD) is a new statistical approach to language variation developed by Doug Biber. The methodology involved in this approach means that for the first time, using corpora of spoken and written language from different periods, we can demonstrate how language varies from one type of text to another, for example, how American style varies from British. Doug Biber begins Variation in English: Multi-Dimensional Studies with a discussion of the methodology required and emphasizes the new insights into language variation and use that can be gained from the MD approach.

Studies in Language and Linguistics General Editors- Geoffrey Leech, Department of Modern English Language, Lancaster University and Jenny Thomas, School of English and Linguistics, University of Wales, Bangor Broad-ranging and authoritative, Studies in Language and Linguistics is an occasional series incorporating major new work in all areas of linguistics. Variation in English- Multi-Dimensional Studies provides both a comprehensive view into a relatively new technique for studying language, and a diverse, exciting collection of studies of variation in English. The first part of the book provides an explanation of multi-dimensional (MD) analysis, a research technique for studying language variation. MD is a corpus-based approach developed by Doug Biber that facilitates large-scale studies of language variation and the investigation of research questions that were previously intractable. The second part of the book contains studies that apply Biber's original MD analysis of English to new domains. These studies cover the historical evolution of English; specialized domains such as medical writing and oral proficiency testing; and dialect variation, including gender and British/American. The third part of the book contains studies that conduct new MD analyses, covering adult/child language differences, 18th century speech and writing, and discourse complexity. Readers of this book will become familiar with the analytical techniques of multi-dimensional analysis, with its applicability to a wide variety of language issues, and with the findings of important studies previously published in diverse journals as well as new studies appearing for the first time.

Written by a global team, this up-to-date introduction to applied linguistics helps students learn what it's like to do applied linguistics, and not just read about theoretical concepts. First, it provides frameworks for understanding both the shared characteristics of work in applied linguistics and the diversity of topics and analyses. Each chapter then highlights a topic area, covering key concepts, a specific project undertaken by the authors, and their personal reflections on entering the field. Hands-on analysis and other application activities also encourage students to test different skills related to each chapter. Finally, students are introduced to the tools they need to continue in applied linguistics: how to read and write empirical research, how to evaluate primary literature, and starting points for expanding their interest in specific subject areas. The authors provide examples from different geographical regions and languages to engage an international audience. At the same time, multilingualism, interdisciplinarity, and technology are integrated as themes within the text to reflect how these areas are now interwoven throughout applied linguistics.

Written by a global team, this up-to-date introduction to applied linguistics helps students learn what it's like to do applied linguistics, and not just read about theoretical concepts. First, it provides frameworks for understanding both the shared characteristics of work in applied linguistics and the diversity of topics and analyses. Each chapter then highlights a topic area, covering key concepts, a specific project undertaken by the authors, and their personal reflections on entering the field. Hands-on analysis and other application activities also encourage students to test different skills related to each chapter. Finally, students are introduced to the tools they need to continue in applied linguistics: how to read and write empirical research, how to evaluate primary literature, and starting points for expanding their interest in specific subject areas. The authors provide examples from different geographical regions and languages to engage an international audience. At the same time, multilingualism, interdisciplinarity, and technology are integrated as themes within the text to reflect how these areas are now interwoven throughout applied linguistics.

A fully updated and expanded second edition of this flagship work, which introduces methodological techniques to carry out analyses of text varieties, and provides descriptions of the most important text varieties in English. Part I introduces an analytical framework for studying registers, genre conventions, and styles, while Part II provides more detailed corpus-based descriptions of text varieties in English, including spoken interpersonal varieties, general and professional written varieties and emerging electronic varieties. Part III introduces more advanced analytical approaches and deals with larger theoretical concerns, such as the relationship between register studies and other sub-disciplines of linguistics, and practical applications of register analysis. A new chapter on EAP and ESP has been added, with new sections on the important differences between academic writing in the humanities and sciences, and a case study on engineering reports as an ESP register and genre. Coverage of new electronic registers has been updated, and a new analysis of hybrid registers has been added.

A fully updated and expanded second edition of this flagship work, which introduces methodological techniques to carry out analyses of text varieties, and provides descriptions of the most important text varieties in English. Part I introduces an analytical framework for studying registers, genre conventions, and styles, while Part II provides more detailed corpus-based descriptions of text varieties in English, including spoken interpersonal varieties, general and professional written varieties and emerging electronic varieties. Part III introduces more advanced analytical approaches and deals with larger theoretical concerns, such as the relationship between register studies and other sub-disciplines of linguistics, and practical applications of register analysis. A new chapter on EAP and ESP has been added, with new sections on the important differences between academic writing in the humanities and sciences, and a case study on engineering reports as an ESP register and genre. Coverage of new electronic registers has been updated, and a new analysis of hybrid registers has been added.

Examines patterns of use in the news, fiction and academic English Takes grammar and vocabulary together and looks at how they interact Is based on the analysis of 40-million words of British and American, written and spoken corpus text Uses over 3000 examples of real, corpus English to illustrate the points Uses frequency tables and graphs to make the new findings of this grammar clear

This book is about investigating the way people use language in speech and writing. It introduces the corpus-based approach to the study of language, based on analysis of large databases of real language examples and illustrates exciting new findings about language and the different ways that people speak and write. The book is important both for its step-by-step descriptions of research methods and for its findings about grammar and vocabulary, language use, language learning, and differences in language use across texts and user groups.

invaluable for students on university and teacher-training courses checks your knowledge of how English is actually used in speech and writing shows how grammar differs in different contexts of registers provides practice with relationships between grammar and vocabulary all examples taken from naturally occurring English texts and conversations comparisons between British English and American English spoken and written extracts throughout full answer key