Douglas Biber

A good overall introduction to corpus linguistics. Reading this as a beginner, I found the opening to be quite useful in outlining the possible and actual applications of corpus analytic techniques. Although many applications of corpus analysis are for the detailed study of language, variation, and change, the same kinds of close analysis of lexical, grammatical, and syntactical variation can be scaled up to examine broader language phenomena, such as registers and stylistics. The second show more section of the book provides some illustrative case studies of how corpus analysis can be scaled up to examine phenomena like literary style, language acquisition, and specialized pragmatic uses of language. The methodological section that finishes off the book is very helpful in thinking about how to build and analyze corpora of one's own. show less

Don't be fooled by the title. This work is a slimmed down version of the larger original. A thorough (in terms of research) reference of English grammar. Based on corpus data this work is an invaluable reference to have for second language students as well as teachers. Easier to use than the big edition.

English grammar has gained a much insight from corpus and this volume is thorough in its treatment of this huge topic. A classic reference work that will still be relevant for at least my life time.

PR (18)