Corpora and quantitative methods in historical linguistics

Abstract

Chapter 3 provides an overview of the use of corpora and quantitative methods in historical linguistics over time. This chapter further substantiates the claims in Chapter 1 regarding the underuse of corpora and quantitative methods in historical linguistics, and traces some of the historical roots of the current situation. The chapter demonstrates that there has been a persistent underrepresentation of quantitative research in historical linguistics, but that various material (lack of cheap and accessible computing power) and conceptual factors (early quantitative methods that provoked a negative reaction) have held back a more widespread adoption of quantitative corpus methods. A number of common counterarguments to the use of quantitative methods are discussed and refuted.