Methods in Historical Corpus Pragmatics
Epistemic Stance in Early Modern English

Presents both a new, corpus-driven method to analyse pragmatic functions and an exploration of epistemic stance in Early Modern English.

Daniela Landert (Author)

9781009237413, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 29 February 2024

332 pages
23.5 x 15.8 x 2.3 cm, 0.63 kg

'Landert's contribution to the field of historical corpus pragmatics is impressive. Her study is detailed and meticulous, the methodology is laid out clearly and explicitly, ample examples and analysis are provided throughout, and her conclusions are both convincing and leave ample space for future research. There is much to recommend this piece.' Richard J. Whitt, Corpora

Based on an extensive corpus-based study, this revealing book explores how epistemic stance is expressed in the early modern period, and in doing so, presents new methodologies for using corpora to investigate issues in historical pragmatics. It provides a new, corpus-driven method for the analysis of pragmatic functions that rely on context-dependent interpretations. By retrieving passages that include a high-density of the pragmatic function under investigation, the subsequent analysis can reveal previously neglected forms and context-dependent factors. It includes four empirical studies that apply the method to the analysis of epistemic stance in four Early Modern English corpora, the result of which emphasise the importance of context for the expression of stance. It also includes an appendix with inventories of Early Modern English stance expressions, offering starting points for further research studies. It is essential reading for researchers and students in historical pragmatics and corpus pragmatics.

Preface
1. Introduction
Part 1. Theoretical Background: 2. Historical corpus pragmatics
3. Stance in Early Modern English
Part II. Methodology: 4. Compiling inventories of lexical stance markers
5. Retrieving high-density passages
Part III. Empirical Studies: 6. Lexical stance markers in high-density passages
7. Contextual factors and rhetorical strategies
8. Meta-communicative expressions and stance: I say and I tell (you)
9. Expressing certainty in different genres
10. Conclusion
Data
Appendix A: List of high-density passages
Appendix B: Stance inventory.

Subject Areas: Language: history & general works [CBX]