Corpus-based Study Research Articles

Cultural Dimensions as Guidelines in Handling Language Problems for Effective Written Communication Across Cultures

This research explores potential problems that might occur in the use of language for cross-cultural written communication. It uses corpus-based study as methodology and cultural dimensional theory by Geert Hofstede as guidelines and identifies potential problems in language use in areas such as word choices, syntaxis, textual organization, translation, and rhetorical strategies. These findings will help cross-cultural communicators avoid unnecessary misunderstandings, misleading information, and cultural blunders and create effective written information for successful business and technical exchanges internationally. In this sense, the research makes a good contribution to international business and technical communication and enriches the education in cross-cultural communication.

A Corpus-Based Study of America Media Discourse on Traditional Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has played a significant role in the lives of the Chinese people and is gradually entering the global arena. The process of its globalization can be mirrored by the mass media, such as newspapers, due to their capacity of reflecting the changes in the culture and ideology of a certain region. This study explored the changing trends in America Media Discourse on TCM from 1860 to 1959 in the aspects of vocabulary, readability, and content, based on the analysis of a self-built corpus. The findings reveal that over a century, American media reports on TCM have been picking words that are relatively simple and close to daily life, with a low content of academic vocabulary; scored high for the Flesch Reading Ease Readability formula, decreasing the difficulty of being understood by readers; ranged from shallow to deep in the overall perspective, reflecting the historical process of TCMs transmission and development in global terms.

A Corpus-based Study: A Comparison between China and Abroad in Current Hot Topics of English Language Teaching within Abstracts of TESOL Conventions

The purpose of this study was to explore the current hot topics of English language teaching (ELT) between China and abroad using a corpus-based approach, with the research data taken from key words of 2775 abstracts within the 2021-2022 program books of International TESOL conferences and TESOL China assembly as four corpora, two of China and abroad in 2021 as well as two in 2022. It attempted to give significant proposals for future ELT research in China. A mixed methodology of (Quantitative +qualitative) was employed, one of which was AntConc software, for quantitative analysis on the data of high-frequency key words coded from each corpus. A qualitative analysis was subsequently conducted to analyze the potential reasons of major differences lie in Chinese and foreign hot topics of ELT. The study found major differences in terms of four aspects of hot topics of ELT between China and abroad: 1). Chinese academics mostly employed presentation as the primary teaching method, whereas foreign countries used a different variety of teaching methods, including online teaching tools, amount of teaching activities; 2). China stressed students’ summary writing and public speaking skills when it came to the aspect of student cultivation. On the other hand, foreign nations helped students improve their academic and reflective writing skills; 3). In China, test and peer assessment were the crucial methods of teaching evaluation, while formative assessment was used as the pivotal role in foreign countries; 4). China focused on the construction of teachers' professional identities and strategy training in teacher development. Yet, foreign countries concentrated on teachers' professional development. Pedagogical implications are that future ELT research in China needs to draw on overseas experience for drilling in four aspects: teaching methods, student cultivation, teaching evaluation and teacher development.

A Corpus-based Study on Collocation Patterns between Focusing Adverbs and Adverbial Clauses

A Corpus-based Study on Collocation Patterns between Focusing Adverbs and Adverbial Clauses

Use of metadiscourse for identity construction in tourist city publicity：A comparative study of Chinese and Australian social media discourse

Social media publicity has become an important way for the official tourism agency to promote the city image and interact with the public. In order to explore the linguistic devices that support tourist city publicity, a corpus-based comparative study is conducted on the use of metadiscourse and identity construction in Facebook posts on the public pages of the city Xiamen in China and Sydney in Australia. The corpus consists of 344 posts with a total of 12, 175 words on the page of Xiamen and 315 posts with a total of 12, 319 words on the page of Sydney collected over the same 1-year time span. Combining the statistical results of metadiscourse use and identity types with the analysis of specific examples, it is concluded that both posters use three categories of metadiscourse to construct the identities of introducer, inviter and evaluator for the purpose of promoting good city image and forming good interaction with the public. The differences in the frequencies of metadicourse and identity occurrences in the two corpora suggest different focuses on city publicity. This study has implications for the writing of tourist city publicity posts as well as raising posters’ awareness of employing metadiscourse to construct identity and build rapport with readers so as to enhance the impact of the tourist cities.

A Corpus-Based Study of Alignment in Literary Gorani (Based on the Manuscript 11092 of Dīwān-i Mawlawī)

Abstract This paper examines alignment in Literary Gorani by analysing an unknown Gorani manuscript titled ‘Dīwān-i Mawlawī’ (Manuscript 11092), which is housed at the Āstān-e Qods-e Raḍavī library. The paper has two main objectives. Following Haig (2017) regarding the extent of the micro-variation of ergativity within Iranian languages, the paper explores strategies of interrelated subsystems such as case, indexation, verbal suffixes, and pronominal clitic systems to discover whether Gorani manifests an accusative or an ergative pattern. This helps us to answer the second more general question in this study: is it even possible to consider Literary Gorani as a written form of Hawrami?

Analyzing Linguistic Shifts in Political Discourse: A Corpus-Based Study of Political Rhetoric in the Digital Age

The present era is the era of digitalization which has profoundly impacted the different segments of the society. Hence, the present research was conducted to explore the linguistic shifts in the political discourse in the digital mass communication era. This study gathered data from reputable news sites, social media platforms, government archives, and academic libraries. Employing a stratified random sample technique ensured a diverse dataset, encompassing texts from varied political affiliations, historical periods, speeches, tweets, and articles. Rigorous preparation methods, such as data cleaning, standardization, and tokenization, were applied to enhance the study's consistency and reliability. The linguistic analysis investigated numerous linguistic elements, including vocabulary richness, sentence structure, sentiment, and the use of rhetorical techniques in political discourse. The findings highlight the diverse implications of linguistic shifts in the digital age, spanning emotional tone, information credibility, misinformation proliferation, and nuances of political polarization. As the digital age continues to shape political speech, the conclusions e the critical need for political communicators to strike a delicate balance between linguistic simplicity and discursive richness. Keywords: linguistics shifts, political discourse, corpus, political rhetoric, digital age, linguistic analysis, sentiment analysis, impact analysis, content analysis.

A corpus-based study of maximizer–adjective patterns in Croatian

Maximizers represent a subclass of degree modifiers that convey the highest degree to which a property can be carried out. This paper studies five Croatian near-synonymous maximizers (all meaning “completely, totally”), viz. posve, potpuno, sasvim, skroz, and totalno, as a part of <maximizer + adjective> construction. It is assumed here that analysed pairings act as (semi)-prefabricated units with maximizers that impose particular modes of construal. To analyse the subtle semantic differences of examined maximizers, we shall turn to the distributional hypothesis and examine contexts in which maximizers occur. Using a combination of analytical statistics (collostructional analysis) and multifactorial methods (hierarchical agglomerative cluster analysis and correspondence analysis), we aim to examine similarities (proximities) and differences (distances) between analysed constructions in order to understand intricate relationships among maximizers, fostering valuable insights into their semantics. The findings of this study provide insight into the interplay of the Croatian maximizers and adjectives.

Corpus-Based Study of Amplifiers in Academic Writing of Chinese EFL Learners

Corpus-Based Study of Amplifiers in Academic Writing of Chinese EFL Learners

Corpus-based Study on the International Communication of Hunan Culture

Hunan and Hubei culture, as one of China's excellent traditional cultures, has a long history and rich connotations. With the development and opening up of society, the external dissemination of Hunan and Hubei culture is increasingly valued. This article, based on the research method of the corpus, explores the current status of research, research methods, problems arising, and coping strategies for the external dissemination of Hunan and Hubei culture. It aims to provide theoretical support and practical guidance for the better dissemination of Hunan and Hubei culture.

Fluidic motion patterns in English and Modern Greek

Abstract This paper investigates conceptual and phraseological patterns from a cross-linguistic perspective. The focus of attention is on the fluidic motion uses of the highly polysemous verbs run and τρέχω ‘run’ in English and Modern Greek respectively. They are manner of motion verbs denoting the typically human, fast movement on ground and they are frequently cited in the literature on motion event encoding; yet, their extended use to denote motion of liquids is mentioned only in passing. The study thus provides a comprehensive description of that part of the semantic network of the two verbs that relates to fluidic motion (literally and figuratively). The contrastive approach taken combines cognitive semantics (Frame Semantics, Conceptual Metaphor and Metonymy Theory) with a phraseological view of language. Convergences and divergences are identified at a conceptual and phraseological level through a twofold corpus-based study involving comparable monolingual analysis and parallel corpus investigation.

A Corpus-Based Comparative Study of Exemplification in Hard and Soft Sciences Research Articles: A Case of Chinese and English Authors

A Corpus-Based Comparative Study of Exemplification in Hard and Soft Sciences Research Articles: A Case of Chinese and English Authors

A corpus-based study of signalling nouns in marketing and economics research articles

Signalling nouns (SNs, hereinafter) as grammatical metaphors serve as effective clues to disciplinary epistemology. Based on self-built corpora, this study explores disciplinary variation in the use of SNs by investigating marketing and economics research articles (RAs, hereinafter). The results show that marketing RAs employ SNs with significantly higher frequency than economics RAs. In terms of grammatical patterns, marketing RAs prefer the “SN+ to-infinitive” pattern, whereas economics RAs tend to use the “SN+ that-clause” structure. Semantically, marketing researchers prefer modal fact and idea nouns to show a greater tendency for writer visibility, greater interest in factors influencing consumer purchasing behaviors, and the more empirical and experimental nature of marketing. In contrast, economics researchers prefer fact and idea nouns to explore the decision-making process of economic agents, and reveal the more hypothetical, econometrical, and abstract reasoning nature of this discipline. The choices of SNs reflect distinct disciplinary epistemologies between marketing and economics. This study sheds new light on the significance of SNs in revealing disciplinary variations, and creates a database of detailing the characteristics of SNs used in both disciplines, which can aid EFL learners and EAP practitioners to better use SNs to construct interpersonal relations with readers in academic writing.

A corpus-based study of metadiscourse features in Chinese-English simultaneous interpreting.

Metadiscourse markers have been observed to be frequently employed by simultaneous interpreters as interpreting strategies in the process of interpretation. However, the realm of inquiry into this phenomenon remains relatively underexplored. This study aims to rectify this gap by conducting a systematic analysis of metadiscourse features in the context of Chinese-English simultaneous interpreting. The analytical framework for this study is rooted in Hyland's interpersonal model of metadiscourse. By comparing the frequency and distribution of various metadiscourse markers in the source language (Chinese), target language (English), and original English speeches in simultaneous interpreting events, the research seeks to offer a quantitative description, qualitative analysis, and explanation of the causes of these metadiscourse features. To facilitate this analysis, the authors have compiled a Chinese-English Simultaneous Interpreting Parallel Corpus and a Comparable Original English Corpus based on ten international economic conferences, totaling 161,068 tokens. The findings reveal significant differences in interlingual and intralingual comparisons. Professional interpreters demonstrate a strong awareness of metadiscourse by employing various "metadiscourse interpreting strategies," including explicitation/simplification, emphasis/weakening, and visibility/invisibility. Moreover, interpreted English displays distinct metadiscourse features including explicitation of textual logic, objective modal tendency, and audience orientation, as compared to the original English speeches. The observed differences in the study can be attributed to a range of factors, including contextual factors, source language features, and the cognitive psychology of the interpreter. This study provides an in-depth analysis of metadiscourse characteristics in Chinese-English simultaneous interpreting, contributing to fine-grained inquiries into our understanding of the linguistic features of interpreted texts within the context of corpus-based interpreting studies.

Systematic Literature Review of Crosslinguistic Analysis of Stance Markers in EFL Learners’ Academic Writing in English

Evaluating the use of stance markers is an important approach to investigate the interactional and persuasive nature of academic writing in English. However, the problems EFL learners’ face using of stance markers and its research methodologies in crosslinguistic analysis are uncertain. This systematic literature review examined problems EFL learners’ face in using of stance markers and the research methodologies used to identify these problems in crosslinguistic research. The current study employed the PRISMA 2020 paradigm to conduct a systematic literature review (SLR) of crosslinguistic analysis of stance markers in EFL learners’ academic writing in English. Keywords queries on “stance*”, “academic writing*”, “metadiscourse*” and “metadiscursive*” were used to retrieve articles from Scopus and Web of Science databases. Following screening, 34 articles were included in the final analysis. EFL learners had problems in using hedges, boosters, self-mentions and attitude markers, and their main challenges were in the overuse of boosters and underuse of hedges. Chinese EFL learners had the most problems in using stance markers. All the 34 articles adopted an empirical approach and most were a corpus-based study. Researchers were fond of argumentative essays, dissertations, and research articles from coursework. In addition, scholars preferred one-way comparisons especially between native language and interlanguage (NL vs IL). Enhancing EFL learners' awareness of stance markers would require more instructions regarding stance markers in academic writing classrooms and future research should use three-way or four-way comparisons in crosslinguistic analysis.

A corpus-based study of quoi in French native speech

Abstract Based on data drawn from two corpora collected in Orléans, France, in two waves (ESLO 1, 1968–1971; ESLO 2, 2008–) over a 40-year period, this paper investigated the use of quoi as a discourse marker (DM) in the speech of 234 French native speakers. Our results indicate that the DM quoi has increased in frequency in the more recent corpus. The distribution of its discursive functions has changed between the two corpora. Meanwhile, we also demonstrate that the DM quoi is mainly used in final position and this tendency continues to increase in ESLO 2. Regarding the relation between function and particle position, the planning function is the only function favored by medial position in ESLO 1, while in ESLO 2, the quantification function also becomes one of the favored functions in this position. We suggest that this might indicate potential competition for the same position. Meanwhile, we also point out that the benchmarking function is quasi-categorically used in final position in ESLO 2. The relation between functions and positions changes between the two corpora.

Discursive representations of sexual minorities in China’s English-language news media: a corpus-based study

In contemporary China, sexual minorities (SMs) are still a marginalized community. Prior studies have accorded SMs a great deal of attention, but little research has been conducted on the representations of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans people in Chinese English-language news media. This article uses corpus linguistic tools to examine popular views on SMs in a larger corpus of 354 news articles, filling the gap in research. Based on data collected from four English-language newspapers in mainland China and informed by discursive strategies, the article concludes that Chinese SMs are prominently represented as unhealthy individuals, but also victims and progressionists. The findings also indicate that conservative and liberal perspectives on SMs co-exist in the English-language newspapers. In addition, potential contributing factors to these representations are discussed.

Tapped /r/ in RP: a corpus-based sociophonetic study across the twentieth century

Abstract This paper aims to explore the use of the tap allophone [ɾ] in Received Pronunciation (RP) in word-internal and linking /r/ contexts over three decades (1940s–1960s) and considering three age cohorts (&lt;35 years old, 35–54 years old, and ≥55 years old). A spoken corpus of formal register materials was compiled to conduct further perceptual and acoustic analysis and classify the articulation of /r/ into tap versus no tap. Results show a decreasing tendency of tap production across decades, and the initial stage of its replacement by the approximant variant. From a sociolinguistic perspective, tapped /r/ may have potentially changed its status, from an indicator to a marker. The fact that the tap allophone has become a sociolinguistic marker can encourage future research on intra-speaker variation. Women and middle-aged speakers (35–54 years old) are the ones leading this sound change, opting for the innovative approximant. This may be due to professional pressures or aspects of social identity, yet further research is needed. Furthermore, the word-internal context seems to favour the production of taps, which could be due to the general low frequency of linking /r/ and the formal register of the materials.

The analytical and corpus-based study on Semantic and Syntactic Representations of Persian Motion-Directional Verbs [In English

The analytical and corpus-based study on Semantic and Syntactic Representations of Persian Motion-Directional Verbs [In English

Truth be told: a corpus-based study of the cross-linguistic colexification of representational and (inter)subjective meanings

Abstract The study of crosslinguistic variation in word meaning often focuses on representational and concrete meanings. We argue other kinds of word meanings (e.g., abstract and (inter)subjective meanings) can be fruitfully studied in translation corpora, and present a quantitative procedure for doing so. We focus on the cross-linguistic patterns for lemmas pertaining to truth and reality (English true and real), as these abstract meanings been found to frequently colexify with particular (inter)subjective meanings. Applying our method to a corpus of translated subtitles of TED talks, we show that (1) the abstract-representational meanings are colexified in patterned ways, that, however, are more complex than previously observed (some languages not splitting a ‘true’-like from ‘real’-like terms; many languages displaying further splits of representational meanings); (2) some non-representational meanings strongly colexify with representational meanings of ‘truth’ and ‘reality’, while others also often colexify with other fields.