Language and Computers: A Practical Introduction to the Computer Analysis of Language (Edinburgh Textbooks in Empirical Linguistics)

This book is a first-stop introduction to corpus-based language research. It takes the reader systematically through the practical problems and benefits including the points to be reviewed before using computers, obtaining corpus material, the main analytical tools and the most important applications of computerised natural language processing. Each chapter offers guidance on programming where appropriate at a level suitable for readers with no prior experience, and provides exercises to help the reader to apply the principles covered. Case studies are used to show how the techniques are used in genuine research situations.

* Provides and introduction to computer analysis, techniques, the practical problems involved in using them and their potential benefits

* The guidance on programming provides a basic tool kit for use and devleopment by readers with no previous experience.

* The exercises at the end of each chapter allow readers to test their understanding and to develop an effective approach to their own research problems.

* The case studies demonstrate the use of the techniques described in real research situations.

Geoff Barnbrook is at the Centre for Corpus Linguistics, University of Birmingham.