Marta Kajzer-Wietrzny
Counting words for a purpose: How can we quantify linguistic data and what for?
Researchers from various branches of linguistics more and more frequently rely on large scale textual data analysis to investigate increasingly complex research questions. Studies on register variation shed light, for example, on how we use language differently in speech and writing. One of the activities of forensic linguists involves looking for idiosyncratic language patterns to aid criminal investigations. Experts in digital humanities perform intricate statistical analyses of large digital archives and collections including texts. Scholars examining translation look for textual characteristics of translated and interpreted texts, while linguists focusing on language acquisition trace the development of specific language skills analysing large quantities of learner data.
Linguistic analyses inform experts developing tools used in medical setting helping patients e.g., describe pain more accurately. On the other hand, investigating patterns of language use is applied in tracing symptoms of cognitive decline in dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
In this seminar we
will look at methods of quantitative linguistic analysis and examples of their
use in various strands of linguistic research.
- Nauczyciel: Marta Kajzer-Wietrzny