4 Corpus-based Approaches to Contrastive Linguistics and Translation Studies资料.doc

Contrastive Linguistics and Corpora Stig Johanson Abstract The paper considers different ways in which computer corpora can be used in contrastive linguistics. Examples are drawn from studies based on the English-Norwegian Parallel Corpus, a bidirectional translation corpus consisting of original texts in each of the languages and their translations into the other language. The model combines different types of corpora within the same overall framework and each type can be used to control and supplement the other. In this way it is possible to identify translation effects, and the objections which are generally raised to the use of translation corpora in contrastive studies can be overcome. Practical applications of corpus-based studies are considered, and suggestions are made for future work in the area. Aim The history of linguistics is marked by frequent changes in theory and method. Contrastive linguistics is no exception. This paper considers the meeting of contrastive linguistics and the new approach to the study of language which is generally referred to by the term corpus linguistics. There has been a tremendous growth in the compilation and use of corpora. This has partly to do with the increasing interest among linguists in studying languages in use, rather than linguistic systems in the abstract, but it is primarily connected with the possibilities offered by corpora in machine-readable form, so-called computer corpora. One of the most significant recent trends is the development of multilingual corpora for use in cross-linguistic research, both theoretical and applied, which promises to lead to a revitalization of contrastive linguistics. What is contrastive linguistics? Contrastive linguistics is systematic comparison of two or more languages, with the aim of describing their similarities and differences. The objective of the comparison may vary: Language comparison is of great interest in a theoretical as well as an applied perspective. It rev