Introduction

Important Information

PPT notes of the lectures can be downloaded from Prof. Gibbon's website.

Table of Contents

  • 2007-10-16 Lecture I    Introduction
  • 2007-10-23 Lecture II   Definition
  • 2007-10-30 Lecture III  Architexture
  • 2007-11-06 Lecture IV   Database
  • 2007-11-20 Lecture VI   Pronunciation
  • 2007-12-04 Lecture VII  Morphology
  • 2007-12-11 Lecture VIII Grammar
  • 2008-01-08 Lecture IX   Semantics
  • 2008-01-15 Lecture X    Computational Lexicography

Summaries

2007-10-16

1. Definition of "text"

Texts are SIGNS. No matter how simple a text is, it must be composed of appearance, formulation and meaning. People may often ignore the part of formulation. Actually, the moment that one sees a text (its appearance), the analysis on the formulation begins to work. And then, one gets the meaning of the text. As the process occurs usually in quite a short period, say, in a few seconds or even less, one may not realize it.

2. What are the properties of a text?

Here's a diagram:

All above are quoted from the notes of the lecture given by Dr. Gibbon.

Quizes & Answers

1. Why is a portfolio important?

A: A portfolio is a collection of learning output produced on the basis of what the or she has learned in class, with peers, at home, in the library or ba means of other kinds of institutional or medial devices.

    A portfolio has two main functions:

  • It can be used for different kinds of assessment:
    • self-assessment, assessment by peers, assessment by teachers, assessment by employers and potntial employees
    • diagnostic assessment, proficiency assessment, achievement assessment, qualification assessment
  • A portfolio can function as a reference document for providing basic input to later learning stages and to preparation for examinations.

2. What should a portfolio contain, and how are these components defined?

A: Generally speaking, a portfolio should contain two parts: summary of lectures, reports, answers to quizzes, etc. and glossary, which is another form of learner's diary.

3. Why should the portfolio be on a website?

A: Every linguist has to deal with new media, therefore it is necessary for a student to know how to handle websites and to use them for his or her own means. Moreover, this option is much more convenient for the professor in terms of accessing the student′s learning process.

4: How do you make a website?

A: There are various opportunities to make a website. It is possible to run an own web server (like APACHE), use the university website, create an own website or register a weblog.

5. What is Text Linguistics?

A: Text linguistics is a branch of linguistics that deals with texts as communication systems . Its original aims lay in uncovering and describing text grammars . The application of text linguistics has, however, evolved from this approach to a point in which text is viewed in much broader terms that go beyond a mere extension of traditional grammar towards an entire text. Text linguistics takes into account the form of a text, but also its setting, i.e. the way in which it is situated in an interactional, communicative context. Both the author of a (written or spoken) text as well as its addressee are taken into consideration in their respective (social and/or institutonal) roles in the specific communicative context. In general it is an application of linguistic analysis at the much broader level of text, rather than just a sentence or word. (Wikipedia)

6. What is a website?

A: A website is an online document connected to the web and available for everybody. It is written as a hypertext document with embedded documents and also with linked document objects. Therefore it is a text.

7. What is a hypertext? Give Examples!

A: A hypertext document is a non-linear text that serves as a user-interface paradigm in computing. As the prefix hyper- (Gr.: over or beyond) indicates, it goes beyond the constraints of traditional linear text. A hypertext document consists of

  • either conventional hierachical parts
  • or complex networks of parts
and incorporates cross-references to other documents called hyperlinks. When hyperlinks are being activated, the computer can load and display linked documents. The most famous implementation of hypertext is the World Wide Web that allows for navigation through hypertext documents from all over the world.

Examples are Hypertext Markup Languages like XHTML, HTML, TeX (LaTeX).

8. What is a text, what are its main properties?

A: See to "Summaries" above.

9. How do these properties relate to the mind and to the world?

A: The properties of text structure, i.e. grammar and syntax (formulation), are abstract rules that belong to the world of the mind. The properties of semantics and pragmatics (meaning) and media (rendering, appearance) belong to the shared world as they are linked to application and manifestation and contexts and conventions.

Evaluation

This lecture, as an introduction to the whole course, triggers my interest. Therefore, I plan to take it into my study plan of this semester.

References

  • "Text Linguistics." 11.12.2006. Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. 16.10.2007 <http://www.wikipedia.org>.
  • Gibbon, Dafydd. "Introduction." 15.10.2007. University of Bielefeld. 16.10.2007 <http://wwwhomes.uni-bielefeld.de/~gibbon/Classes/Classes2007WS/HTMD/htmd01-intro-v02a.pdf>.