Corpus linguistics uses specialist software to
identify linguistic patterns in large computerised
collections of text - patterns which then must be
interpreted and explained by human researchers. This
book critically explores how corpus linguistics
techniques can help analysis of language and gender by
conducting a number of case studies on topics which
include: directives in spoken conversations, changes in
sexist and non-sexist language use over time, personal
adverts, press representation of gay men, and the ways
that boys and girls are constructed through language.
The book thus covers both gendered usage (e.g. how do
males and females use language differently, or not, from
each other), and gendered representations (e.g. in what
ways are males and females written or spoken about).
Additionally, the book shows ways that readers can
either explore their own hypotheses, or approach the
corpus from a ''naive'' position, letting the data drive
their analysis from the outset. The book covers a range
of techniques and measures including frequencies,
keywords, collocations, dispersion, word sketches,
downsizing and triangulation, all in an accessible
style. |
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