Collecting Written Data Dr. Ghurmallah Alghamdi

Suppose I am interested in the contrasting ways in which “will” & “be going to” are used in written texts

To help define my research question I do the following: Read one or more grammar books and note the uses of “will” & “be going to” in formal and in spoken language. To express prediction we use either “be going” or “will”. To express a prior plan we only use be going to. To express willingness “will” is used.

Research questions My research question might be phrased as: “What are the differences in frequency of usage of “will” & “be going to” in a corpus of academic prose and corpus of conversation? Data in electronic corpora : General reference corpora A special purpose corpora A synchronic corpora

Critical linguistic approach Ideology: within critical linguistics this term refers to the notion of world view. It refers to the fact that all speakers and writers operate with assumptions, beliefs and expectations. What is right or wrong? What is normal behavior or up normal?

Texts in their contexts Linguistic analysis should not operate on texts taken out of contexts. Texts do have certain circumstances. Critical text analysis focuses on how and in what areas has felt the need for explanation or give reasons. The analyst is directed to describe not just the grammatical features ,but also has to address sociological issues.

A linguistic framework for critical text analysis Using systemic functional grammar provides you with a systematic way and analyzing the links between grammatical choices and socio cultural context. Linguistic analysis should include: Patterns in the lexicon grammar. The immediate social context in which those structures and words operate.

Continuation Texts are also seen as a construct of multiple types of meaning: The nature of the social action in which the text operate (experntial meaning related to field) The roles and relationships of those involved in the communication (interpersonal meaning related tenor). The communicative form ( textual meaning related to mode).

Doing critical linguistics: Exploring world view in texts There are many linguistic mechanisms by which world view can be reflected in texts. Various mechanisms: 1. Lexical choices : Words which are ideologically contested: racist, sexist ..etc. Level of formality, terms of address, titles Use of metaphor Types of cohesive devices. Classification of people.

Grammatical choices Voice ----active, passive. Pattern of mood selection, declarative, interrogative ,imperative Modality Use of pronouns such as I, we Use of negation Patterns in participants roles.

Evaluating research Lynne Flower dew study : Lynne’s study aimed at investigating whether concordance data from a corpus of learners' writing and from experts writers could be used to highlight significant text features for non - native students learning English. This could be of pedagogic benefit.

Reporting findings Flower Dew's research : She lists Conjunctions (because, since ,as) She also lists adverbials (so, therefore, hence, consequently, then, thus, as a result, as a consequence. She found that there were striking differences in the use of connectors between the two corpora. For example, because was 1.8 times more frequent in the LC than in the MCC. She relates this to a study conducted in Hong Kong.

Questions to be asked about data How many times does the word in question occur at the initial position? Look at the words that come before and after the word in question? Describe the patterns.