Exploring Corpora in English Language Teaching and Specific Corpora in Legal English
1. Introduction to Corpora in ELT/ESP:
- Corpora in English Language Teaching (ELT) and English for Specific Purposes (ESP) are collections of texts that provide valuable linguistic data for language analysis.
- Understanding the philosophy and procedures behind building corpora is crucial for effective language teaching.
- Principles of corpus linguistics, focusing on linguistic patterns and contextual variations, will be explored for both General English and ESP.
2. Registers and Genres:
- Registers and genres offer different perspectives on text varieties.
- Registers deal with linguistic patterns, while genres encompass distinctive forms and contents.
- Register corresponds to the context of situation, while genre relates to the context of culture.
- Examples of genres from the Brown Corpus illustrate the diverse text categories, ranging from Adventure Fiction to Political Speech.
3. Investigating Lexis in Specific Corpora:
- Lexis refers to the vocabulary and grammar of a language, encompassing words, phrases, and idioms.
- The interrelation between corpus and lexis is vital in corpus linguistics.
- Lexicology is the study of lexis and lexicon, emphasizing the dynamic relationship between language and its vocabulary.
3.1 Legal English:
- Legal English is a formalized variety with its own vocabulary, syntax, and semantics.
- It is sometimes referred to as a 'sublanguage' due to its distinctiveness from ordinary English.
- Legalese, a term used by linguists, describes the specialized discourse of lawyers that may not always be easily understood by laypeople.
3.2 COLE (Corpus of Legal English):
- COLE is a specific corpus focusing on Legal English, containing academic and professional written English.
- Size matters less than sampling diversity and consistency in legal corpora.
- Examples of recognized legal corpora, such as the British Law Report Corpus, highlight their content, including legislation and court decisions.
- COLE Corpus, with samples from the Duke Law Journal, emphasizes considerations like time, medium, origin, and topic variety in data collection.
Conclusion:
- The lesson concludes by emphasizing the importance of understanding corpora, genres, and registers in language teaching, particularly in the context of specific corpora like COLE in Legal English. Teachers and learners can benefit from exploring linguistic patterns, contextual variations, and specialized language use within these corpora.
Multiple-Choice Questions (QCM) on Corpora in English Language Teaching (ELT) and Legal English:
1. Introduction to Corpora:
1.1 What is the primary purpose of corpora in English Language Teaching (ELT)?
a. To teach literature analysis
b. To provide linguistic data for language analysis
c. To improve handwriting skills
d. To enhance mathematical abilities
1.2 In the context of corpora, what is the significance of understanding the philosophy and procedures behind their construction?
a. It helps in writing fictional stories
b. It aids in effective language teaching
c. It improves physical fitness
d. It enhances music appreciation
2. Registers and Genres:
2.1 What is the main focus of registers in the context of text varieties?
a. Distinctive forms and contents
b. Linguistic patterns
c. Context of culture
d. Context of situation
2.2 Give an example of a genre from the Brown Corpus:
a. Adventure Fiction
b. Romantic Poetry
c. Science Textbooks
d. Cooking Recipes
3. Investigating Lexis in Specific Corpora:
3.1 What does lexis refer to in linguistics?
a. The study of grammar rules
b. The vocabulary and grammar of a language
c. The pronunciation of words
d. The history of languages
3.2 How is lexicology related to lexis and lexicon?
a. Lexicology is a synonym for lexis
b. Lexicology is the study of lexis and lexicon
c. Lexicology is unrelated to linguistics
d. Lexicology is a type of lexis
4. Legal English and COLE:
4.1 What term is used to describe the specialized discourse of lawyers in legal writings?
a. Formal English
b. Technical Language
c. Legalese
d. Professional Jargon
4.2 What is the primary focus of the COLE (Corpus of Legal English)?
a. Academic and professional written English
b. Creative writing in English
c. Poetry and literature in English
d. Everyday spoken English
Answer Key:
1.1 - b, 1.2 - b, 2.1 - b, 2.2 - a, 3.1 - b, 3.2 - b, 4.1 - c, 4.2 - a
