A comprehensive corpus-based study of the use of evaluative adjectives in promotional hotel websites

The purpose of this paper is to analyse and, if necessary, qualify the high incidence of evaluative adjectives presumably to be expected in promotional hotel websites. Thus, the aim of the study is to understand the role they play in that genre, the way they work, their actual usage and possible classi¿cation, as well as the role they take in persuading the reader. This corpus-based study of evaluative adjectives was therefore grounded on the analysis of their syntactic behaviour, their recurrent collocational patterns and on drawing up of a proposed classi¿cation with which to better comprehend the entities and acts that best represent the domain. At the same time, it will also provide a clearer understanding of the way they are portrayed in the genre (hotel websites) and in the type of discourse being analysed (promotional).El propósito de este artículo es analizar y matizar, en caso de que fuera necesario, la alta incidencia de adjetivos evaluativos presumiblemente esperable en las páginas web promocionales de hoteles con el ¿n de entender su rol en dicho género, su funcionamiento, uso real y posible clasi¿cación, así como el papel que juegan a la hora de persuadir al lector. Este estudio de corpus sobre adjetivos evaluativos ha estado pues basado en el análisis de su comportamiento sintáctico, sus patrones colocacionales recurrentes y en la elaboración de una propuesta de clasificación para la mejor comprensión de las entidades y actos más representativos del dominio, así como de la manera en que son retratados en el género estudiado (páginas web de hoteles) y en el tipo de discurso analizado (promocional)

Visualizing Evaluative Language in Relation to Constructing Identity in English Editorials and Op-Eds

This thesis is concerned with the problem of managing complexity in Systemic Functional Linguistic (SFL) analyses of language, particularly at the discourse semantics level. To deal with this complexity, the thesis develops AppAnn, a suite of linguistic visualization techniques that are specifically designed to provide both synoptic and dynamic views on discourse semantic patterns in text and corpus. Moreover, AppAnn visualizations are illustrated in a series of explorations of identity in a corpus of editorials and op-eds about the bin Laden killing. The findings suggest that the intriguing intricacies of discourse semantic meanings can be successfully discerned and more readily understood through linguistic visualization. The findings also provide insightful implications for discourse analysis by contributing to our understanding of a number of underdeveloped concepts of SFL, including coupling, commitment, instantiation, affiliation and individuation

How is encyclopaedia authority established?

I embarked on this research because I wanted to explore the basis of textual authority. Such an understanding is particularly important in a world where there is such an overload of information that it is a challenge for the public to identify which publications to choose when looking for specific information. I decided to look at the case of encyclopaedias because of the widespread belief that encyclopaedias are the ultimate authorities. I also made the choice based on the observation that, besides the research on Wikipedia, the scientific community seems to overlook encyclopaedias, despite of the role these latter play as key sources of information for the general public. Two theories are combined to serve as a framework for the thesis. On the one hand, there is the theory of cognitive authority as defined by Józef Maria Bocheński, Richard De George, and Patrick Wilson. On the other hand, there is the theory of quality as defined from the various frameworks recommended by librarians and information scientists on how to assess the quality of reference works. These two theoretical frameworks are used to deconstruct the concept of authority and to highlight aspects of authority which may be particularly worthy of investigation. In this thesis, studies were conducted on the following: (1) a literature review on the origin and evolution of encyclopaedia authority throughout the history of encyclopaedia, (2) a review of previous research pertaining to the quality and the authority of Wikipedia, (3) an analysis of the publishing and dissemination of science and technology encyclopaedias published in the 21st century throughout worldwide libraries, (4) a survey of perspective of encyclopaedia authors on the role of encyclopaedias in society and on the communication of scientific uncertainties and controversies, and (5) an analysis of book reviews towards a general assessment of encyclopaedia quality. The thesis illustrates how a concept such as authority which is typically taken for granted can actually be more complex and more problematic than it appears, thereby challenging widespread beliefs in society. In particular, the thesis pinpoints potential contradictions regarding the importance of the author and the publishers in ensuring encyclopaedia authority. On a theoretical level, the thesis revisits the concept of cognitive authority and initiates a discussion on the complex interaction between authority and quality. On a more pragmatic level, the thesis contributes towards the creation of guidelines for encyclopaedia development. As an exploratory study, the thesis also identifies a range of areas which should be of priority for future research

Semantic stability within English idiomatic expressions

The aim of this thesis is to address a gap in historical semantics concerning idiomatic expressions by testing the hypothesis that an idiom can change its meaning over time while retaining its initial form. The linguistic literature so far has been focused on semantic change in words, on diachronic patterns according to which a lexeme changes, and on grammatical constructions that have gone through grammaticalization or lexicalization processes. This thesis presents a study of idiomatic expressions, where idiom is defined as a fixed multi-word expression with non-compositional meaning. A historical corpus of English within a period of 140 years has been designed that allows for the same idiom to be traced back and its usage contexts to be compared. Using diachronic methods similar to the ones used for the study of single words (e.g. frequency of co-occurrence, semantic fields, synonymous substitution), I have analysed 28 idioms in terms of semantic change. The findings show that idiomatic expressions are able to acquire additional meanings over time. I identified common patterns in the development of idiom meaning, and one of the common trajectories appears to be from a specific, narrow meaning towards more generalized, broader meaning and vice versa, often in relation with metaphorical and/or metonymical changes. The results indicate that the less opaque and fixed an idiom is, the more open it is to additional meanings. Further research would benefit from a wider time span and a bigger sample to incorporate more types of idiomatic expressions

Proceedings 2014: Selected papers from the eighteenth college-wide conference for students in languages, linguistics & literature

Your voice, my voice: Literature, language, culture, and society. Selected papers from the eigtheenth annual college-wide conference for students in languages, linguistics & literature, at the University of Hawai`i at MānoaYour voice, my voice: Literature, language, culture, and society. Selected papers from the eigtheenth annual college-wide conference for students in languages, linguistics & literature, at the University of Hawai`i at MānoaSupport for the conference was provided by the UH College of Language, Linguistics & Literature; the National Foreign Language Resource Center; and the Center for Interpretation and Translation Studies

Digitization, innovation, and participation: digital conviviality of the Google Cultural Institute

2018 Summer.Includes bibliographical references.To view the abstract, please see the full text of the document

Detecting Well-being in Digital Communities: An Interdisciplinary Engineering Approach for its Indicators

In this thesis, the challenges of defining, refining, and applying well-being as a progressive management indicator are addressed. This work\u27s implications and contributions are highly relevant for service research as it advances the integration of consumer well-being and the service value chain. It also provides a substantial contribution to policy and strategic management by integrating constituents\u27 values and experiences with recommendations for progressive community management

Detecting Well-being in Digital Communities: An Interdisciplinary Engineering Approach for its Indicators

In this thesis, the challenges of defining, refining, and applying well-being as a progressive management indicator are addressed. This work\u27s implications and contributions are highly relevant for service research as it advances the integration of consumer well-being and the service value chain. It also provides a substantial contribution to policy and strategic management by integrating constituents\u27 values and experiences with recommendations for progressive community management