Abstract
Multi-Dimensional analyses have been conducted for many different discourse domains and many different languages. Using bottom-up statistical analyses, these studies have investigated specific patterns of register variation in several different discourse domains of English, as well as the more general patterns of register variation in many different languages. Each study identifies linguistic dimensions that are peculiar to that particular language/domain. However, the more theoretically interesting finding is that linguistically similar dimensions emerge in nearly all of these studies. Two of these dimensions are especially robust, making them strong candidates for universal dimensions of register variation: 1) a fundamental opposition between clausal/'oral' discourse vs. phrasal/'literate' discourse, and 2) the opposition between narrative vs. nonnarrative discourse. The present paper introduces the methodology of Multi- Dimensional analysis and surveys the research studies carried out to date, with an emphasis on these potentially universal patterns of register variation.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 7-34 |
| Number of pages | 28 |
| Journal | Languages in Contrast |
| Volume | 14 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2014 |
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Keywords
- Cross-linguistic universals
- Literate discourse
- Multi-dimensional analysis
- Oral discourse
- Register variation
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Linguistics and Language
Cite this
Using multi-dimensional analysis to explore cross-linguistic universals of register variation. / Biber, Douglas E.
In: Languages in Contrast, Vol. 14, No. 1, 2014, p. 7-34.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Using multi-dimensional analysis to explore cross-linguistic universals of register variation
AU - Biber, Douglas E
PY - 2014
Y1 - 2014
N2 - Multi-Dimensional analyses have been conducted for many different discourse domains and many different languages. Using bottom-up statistical analyses, these studies have investigated specific patterns of register variation in several different discourse domains of English, as well as the more general patterns of register variation in many different languages. Each study identifies linguistic dimensions that are peculiar to that particular language/domain. However, the more theoretically interesting finding is that linguistically similar dimensions emerge in nearly all of these studies. Two of these dimensions are especially robust, making them strong candidates for universal dimensions of register variation: 1) a fundamental opposition between clausal/'oral' discourse vs. phrasal/'literate' discourse, and 2) the opposition between narrative vs. nonnarrative discourse. The present paper introduces the methodology of Multi- Dimensional analysis and surveys the research studies carried out to date, with an emphasis on these potentially universal patterns of register variation.
AB - Multi-Dimensional analyses have been conducted for many different discourse domains and many different languages. Using bottom-up statistical analyses, these studies have investigated specific patterns of register variation in several different discourse domains of English, as well as the more general patterns of register variation in many different languages. Each study identifies linguistic dimensions that are peculiar to that particular language/domain. However, the more theoretically interesting finding is that linguistically similar dimensions emerge in nearly all of these studies. Two of these dimensions are especially robust, making them strong candidates for universal dimensions of register variation: 1) a fundamental opposition between clausal/'oral' discourse vs. phrasal/'literate' discourse, and 2) the opposition between narrative vs. nonnarrative discourse. The present paper introduces the methodology of Multi- Dimensional analysis and surveys the research studies carried out to date, with an emphasis on these potentially universal patterns of register variation.
KW - Cross-linguistic universals
KW - Literate discourse
KW - Multi-dimensional analysis
KW - Oral discourse
KW - Register variation
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84897711069&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1075/lic.14.1.02bib
DO - 10.1075/lic.14.1.02bib
M3 - Article
VL - 14
SP - 7
EP - 34
JO - Languages in Contrast
JF - Languages in Contrast
SN - 1387-6759
IS - 1
ER -