Dive into the fascinating world of linguistic divergence with this insightful exploration of American and British English, where seemingly similar languages reveal surprising differences in their lexical landscapes. Uncover the subtle nuances that separate "apartment" from "flat," "elevator" from "lift," and countless other word pairs that define the transatlantic divide. This study meticulously examines the phenomenon of binary word pairs – those linguistic doublets that highlight the distinct identities of these two major English dialects. Through the lens of corpus linguistics, leveraging the vast resources of the BNC and COCA corpora, the research delves deep into the patterns of usage, uncovering not just the what but also the why behind these lexical variations. Prepare to be captivated by a detailed analysis of semantic relations and lexical fields, as this investigation sheds light on the historical, cultural, and social forces that have shaped the evolution of American and British English. Whether you're a seasoned linguist, a student of language, or simply a curious reader with a passion for words, this book offers a unique and compelling journey into the heart of dialectal variation. Explore meticulously crafted analysis groups that reveal significant trends and distinctions, supported by robust data and insightful interpretations. Discover how the rigorous application of corpus methodologies unlocks hidden layers of meaning and usage, providing a nuanced understanding of the dynamic interplay between language and culture. From the origins of bicentrism in English to the latest advancements in dialectal research, this comprehensive study offers a fresh perspective on the ever-evolving nature of the English language. Join the exploration of how seemingly simple word choices reflect deeper cultural identities and historical trajectories, making this an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the complexities and beauty of language in a globalized world. Delve into the intricate web of semantic relations and lexical fields, guided by expert analysis and a clear, accessible writing style. This book is more than just a linguistic study; it's a cultural exploration, a historical investigation, and a testament to the power of words to shape our understanding of the world. Discover the captivating story of how two nations, separated by an ocean but united by a common language, have forged their own unique linguistic paths, creating a rich tapestry of words and meanings that continue to evolve and surprise. Embark on this linguistic adventure and unlock the secrets of American and British English, one word pair at a time.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. INTRODUCTION OF BINARITY IN A NON-BINARY WORLD
- 1.1 Bipolar Differentiations
- 1.2 Motivation for Scientific Research in Dialectology
- 1.2.1 Objective of the Case Study
- 1.2.2 Scope of this Academic Paper
- 1.3 Organization of this Work
- 2. THEORIES, MODELS, AND REVIEW OF LITERATURE
- 2.1 Origins of the Bicentrism of the English Language
- 2.1.1 Origin of British English
- 2.1.2 Origin of American English
- 2.1.3 British English versus American English
- 2.1.4 Other Varieties of English
- 2.2 Semantics
- 2.2.1 Semantic Relations
- 2.2.2 Lexical Fields
- 2.3 Previous Studies and Dialectal Research
- 2.4 Status of Corpus Linguistics
- 3. METHODOLOGICAL APPROXIMATION
- 3.1 Choice of Research Design
- 3.2 Selection of Words
- 3.3 Data Collection Procedure and Data Analysis
- 4. ARRANGEMENT OF RESULTS
- 4.1 Presentation of Analysis Groups
- 4.1.1 Criteria for Analysis Groups
- 4.1.2 Group 1
- 4.1.3 Groups 2, 3 and 4
- 4.1.4 Groups 5 and 6
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This master's thesis aims to conduct a comparative, corpus-based study of American and British lexical items, focusing on binary word pairs. The study seeks to analyze the differences and similarities in the usage of these word pairs across the two varieties of English.
- Comparison of American and British English lexicons.
- Analysis of binary word pairs and their usage.
- Application of corpus linguistics methodologies.
- Exploration of semantic relations and lexical fields.
- Contribution to the understanding of dialectal variation in English.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. INTRODUCTION OF BINARITY IN A NON-BINARY WORLD: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the research by establishing the concept of binarity within the context of the non-binary nature of language variation, particularly in English. It lays out the motivation for the study, highlighting the need for a deeper understanding of the differences between American and British English lexicons. The chapter outlines the specific objective of the case study, which is to explore the use of binary word pairs, and details the scope of the paper, defining the parameters of the investigation and emphasizing the methodology to be used. It concludes with an overview of the thesis's organization, providing a roadmap for the reader to follow.
2. THEORIES, MODELS, AND REVIEW OF LITERATURE: Chapter 2 provides a theoretical framework for the study by exploring the origins of the bicentrism in English, tracing the development of both British and American English and examining the key differences that have emerged. The chapter delves into relevant semantic theories, specifically focusing on semantic relations and lexical fields to provide a linguistic foundation for the analysis of word pairs. It reviews existing literature on dialectal research, contextualizing the current study within the broader field and highlighting the contribution of corpus linguistics to this area. The chapter concludes by examining the role and importance of corpus linguistics as a methodological tool in this comparative study.
3. METHODOLOGICAL APPROXIMATION: Chapter 3 outlines the methodology employed in the research. This includes a detailed explanation of the chosen research design, the selection criteria for the word pairs under investigation, and the procedures used for data collection and analysis. This section provides crucial insights into the practical aspects of the study, justifying the choices made and ensuring the reproducibility of the research. It specifically focuses on how the corpora (BNC and COCA) were used and any limitations or considerations associated with the corpus data.
4. ARRANGEMENT OF RESULTS: Chapter 4 presents the findings of the study. It outlines the criteria used to categorize the analyzed word pairs into distinct groups, offering a clear and organized presentation of the data. The chapter provides a detailed description of each group, supported by visual representations such as graphs and tables, illustrating the distribution of examples and highlighting significant patterns or trends in the usage of the word pairs across American and British English. The analysis will likely focus on frequency counts and variations in meaning and usage.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
American English, British English, lexical variation, binary word pairs, corpus linguistics, semantics, dialectal variation, COCA, BNC.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
What is the focus of this language preview document?
This document provides a comprehensive overview of a master's thesis concerning a corpus-based comparative study of American and British English lexical items. It includes the table of contents, objectives, key themes, chapter summaries, and a list of keywords.
What is the main objective of the master's thesis?
The main objective is to conduct a comparative analysis of American and British lexical items, specifically focusing on binary word pairs, to identify differences and similarities in their usage.
What are the key themes explored in the thesis?
The key themes include a comparison of American and British English lexicons, analysis of binary word pairs, application of corpus linguistics methodologies, exploration of semantic relations and lexical fields, and contribution to the understanding of dialectal variation in English.
Can you provide a summary of Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION OF BINARITY IN A NON-BINARY WORLD?
Chapter 1 introduces the concept of binarity within the context of language variation, particularly in English. It establishes the motivation for studying the differences between American and British English lexicons, outlines the objectives of the case study (exploring binary word pairs), and defines the scope and organization of the thesis.
Can you provide a summary of Chapter 2: THEORIES, MODELS, AND REVIEW OF LITERATURE?
Chapter 2 presents the theoretical framework for the study, exploring the origins of bicentrism in English, tracing the development of British and American English, and examining their key differences. It delves into semantic theories, reviews existing literature on dialectal research, and examines the role of corpus linguistics.
Can you provide a summary of Chapter 3: METHODOLOGICAL APPROXIMATION?
Chapter 3 details the research methodology, including the chosen research design, selection criteria for word pairs, and data collection and analysis procedures. It explains how corpora (BNC and COCA) were used and acknowledges limitations or considerations associated with the corpus data.
Can you provide a summary of Chapter 4: ARRANGEMENT OF RESULTS?
Chapter 4 presents the study's findings, outlining the criteria used to categorize word pairs into distinct groups. It provides detailed descriptions of each group, supported by visual representations, illustrating patterns in the usage of word pairs across American and British English.
What are the keywords associated with this thesis?
The keywords include American English, British English, lexical variation, binary word pairs, corpus linguistics, semantics, dialectal variation, COCA, and BNC.
What is the significance of using corpus linguistics in this study?
Corpus linguistics serves as a crucial methodological tool, enabling the comparative analysis of large datasets (corpora like BNC and COCA) to identify patterns and trends in the usage of binary word pairs in American and British English.
What are binary word pairs in the context of this thesis?
Binary word pairs refer to sets of two words that are often used comparatively to understand differences in lexicon, meaning, and usage between American and British English.
- Quote paper
- Marvin Erdner (Author), 2020, Binary Word Pairs? A Comparative, Corpus-Based Study of American and British Lexical Items, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1038359
