Generic variation across legislative writing. A contrastive analysis of the UNCITRAL Model Law and Brazil's Arbitration Law

The nature of legislation is to control human relations and actions by words. Legislative writing displays relative uniformity though, as a genre, some variations are allowed across legal systems, as in the case of arbitration laws. This article focuses on the generic variation of two arbitration laws: the UNCITRAL Model Law on the International Commercial Arbitration (hereafter UNCITRAL) and the Brazilian Arbitration Law 9.307/1996 (hereafter BAL). Arbitration is an alternative form of confl ict resolution based upon the free will of the parties to invest arbitrators, (not the judiciary) with the jurisdiction to settle disputes in a contract of commercial nature. The claim is that the analysis (at surface level) of textual organization and legislative style in the data cannot account alone for an explanation of how legislative information is functionally realized in order to achieve its communicative intent. To explain this we, therefore, also consider how legislative information is packaged by means of some textualization devices (qualifi cational insertions, binomial and multinomial structures and textual-mapping) and conclude by showing how recontextualization is realized in the data by means of generality, fuzziness and vagueness of terms and expressions

Treatment of Legal Sentences Including Itemized and Referential Expressions : Towards Translation into Logical Forms

This paper proposes a framework for analyzing legal sentences including itemized or referential expressions. Thus far, we have developed a system for translating legal documents into logical formulae. Although our system basically converts words and phrases in a target sentence into predicates in a logical formula, it generates some useless predicates for itemized and referential expressions. We propose a front end system which substitutes corresponding referent phrases for these expressions. Thus, the proposed system generates a meaningful text with high readability, which can be input into our translation system. We examine our system with actual data of legal documents. As a result, the system was 73.1% accurate in terms of removing itemized expressions in a closed test, and 51.4% accurate in an open test

Argumentative zoning information extraction from scientific text

Let me tell you, writing a thesis is not always a barrel of laughs—and strange things can happen, too. For example, at the height of my thesis paranoia, I had a re-current dream in which my cat Amy gave me detailed advice on how to restructure the thesis chapters, which was awfully nice of her. But I also had a lot of human help throughout this time, whether things were going fine or beserk. Most of all, I want to thank Marc Moens: I could not have had a better or more knowledgable supervisor. He always took time for me, however busy he might have been, reading chapters thoroughly in two days. He both had the calmness of mind to give me lots of freedom in research, and the right judgement to guide me away, tactfully but determinedly, from the occasional catastrophe or other waiting along the way. He was great fun to work with and also became a good friend. My work has profitted from the interdisciplinary, interactive and enlightened atmosphere at the Human Communication Centre and the Centre for Cognitive Science (which is now called something else). The Language Technology Group was a great place to work in, as my research was grounded in practical applications develope

Phraseology in Corpus-based transaltion studies : stylistic study of two contempoarary Chinese translation of Cervantes's Don Quijote

The present work sets out to investigate the stylistic profiles of two modern Chinese versions of Cervantes???s Don Quijote (I): by Yang Jiang (1978), the first direct translation from Castilian to Chinese, and by Liu Jingsheng (1995), which is one of the most commercially successful versions of the Castilian literary classic. This thesis focuses on a detailed linguistic analysis carried out with the help of the latest textual analytical tools, natural language processing applications and statistical packages. The type of linguistic phenomenon singled out for study is four-character expressions (FCEXs), which are a very typical category of Chinese phraseology. The work opens with the creation of a descriptive framework for the annotation of linguistic data extracted from the parallel corpus of Don Quijote. Subsequently, the classified and extracted data are put through several statistical tests. The results of these tests prove to be very revealing regarding the different use of FCEXs in the two Chinese translations. The computational modelling of the linguistic data would seem to indicate that among other findings, while Liu???s use of archaic idioms has followed the general patterns of the original and also of Yang???s work in the first half of Don Quijote I, noticeable variations begin to emerge in the second half of Liu???s more recent version. Such an idiosyncratic use of archaisms by Liu, which may be defined as style shifting or style variation, is then analyzed in quantitative terms through the application of the proposed context-motivated theory (CMT). The results of applying the CMT-derived statistical models show that the detected stylistic variation may well point to the internal consistency of the translator in rendering the second half of Part I of the novel, which reflects his freer, more creative and experimental style of translation. Through the introduction and testing of quantitative research methods adapted from corpus linguistics and textual statistics, this thesis has made a major contribution to methodological innovation in the study of style within the context of corpus-based translation studies.Imperial Users onl

Phraseology in Corpus-Based Translation Studies: A Stylistic Study of Two Contemporary Chinese Translations of Cervantes's Don Quijote

The present work sets out to investigate the stylistic profiles of two modern Chinese versions of Cervantes’s Don Quijote (I): by Yang Jiang (1978), the first direct translation from Castilian to Chinese, and by Liu Jingsheng (1995), which is one of the most commercially successful versions of the Castilian literary classic. This thesis focuses on a detailed linguistic analysis carried out with the help of the latest textual analytical tools, natural language processing applications and statistical packages. The type of linguistic phenomenon singled out for study is four-character expressions (FCEXs), which are a very typical category of Chinese phraseology. The work opens with the creation of a descriptive framework for the annotation of linguistic data extracted from the parallel corpus of Don Quijote. Subsequently, the classified and extracted data are put through several statistical tests. The results of these tests prove to be very revealing regarding the different use of FCEXs in the two Chinese translations. The computational modelling of the linguistic data would seem to indicate that among other findings, while Liu’s use of archaic idioms has followed the general patterns of the original and also of Yang’s work in the first half of Don Quijote I, noticeable variations begin to emerge in the second half of Liu’s more recent version. Such an idiosyncratic use of archaisms by Liu, which may be defined as style shifting or style variation, is then analyzed in quantitative terms through the application of the proposed context-motivated theory (CMT). The results of applying the CMT-derived statistical models show that the detected stylistic variation may well point to the internal consistency of the translator in rendering the second half of Part I of the novel, which reflects his freer, more creative and experimental style of translation. Through the introduction and testing of quantitative research methods adapted from corpus linguistics and textual statistics, this thesis has made a major contribution to methodological innovation in the study of style within the context of corpus-based translation studies

As Below So Above: Reconstructing the Neo-Babylonian Worldview

To add to our knowledge about a Near Eastern culture, this project examines through textual evidence how the early first millennium BCE Neo-Babylonians thought, reasoned, and wrote in order to partially reconstruct the shared, generally held worldview of the Neo-Babylonian people using the transdisciplinary approach of worldview analysis. Worldviews are what we use to think with, not what we think about. Underlying surficial cultural behaviors are deeper levels of cognition regarding how to reason, perceive the world, prioritize values, prescribe behavior, and explain all of life. Specifically, this work examines the language and logic reflected in the textual archive, believing that this is the foundational level of any worldview. I argue that one finds two related components: (1) that they were linguistically programmed to be attuned to the full context over particularities, verbal actions over agential subjects, the continuity of substances over discrete objects, the standard use of maleness over femaleness, and the affective power of spoken or written words, and (2) that they were logically programmed to prefer gradations over distinctions, functional properties over inherent attributes, radials and/or rhizomes over linearity, and relationships and/or comparisons over abstractions and algorithms. By addressing this underlying, implicit cognitive software the Neo-Babylonians used, one is better able to understand the society’s more observable and obvious religious, ethical, legal, political, and social features. This has the potential to present a more contextualized view of Neo-Babylonian civilization. Reconstructing the ancient Neo-Babylonian worldview allows scholars to compare and contrast the linguistic and logical features to other ancient nearby cultures in order to understand continuities and differences and what accounts for them. One can open a dialogue between these ancient societies at a deeper level. It demonstrates the uniqueness of Neo-Babylonia. And it provides a basis for understanding how Neo-Babylonians contributed to the roots of Western civilization and thought. Most current worldview analysis examines modern or postmodern worldviews. By examining an ancient worldview, one can begin to more clearly understand any common aspects which exist for all worldviews and any elements that exist in ancient ones which are missing from cataloging more modern worldviews. Thus, the cataloging of an ancient worldview helps to open new vistas within worldview studies. This study invites similar ones within ancient Near Eastern studies and within ancient studies in general

Learner needs and ESP

The purpose of this thesis is to explore how ESP learner needs have been perceived and answered in contemporary ESP programmes. It aims at providing some suggestions and implications regarding needs analysis, course design and the development of language skills. The first chapter introduces the concept of 'ESP ' and, therefore, attempts to unfold the debate which has surrounded its definition and its practices. This involves viewing the factors which have led to its development and which have set it apart of General Purpose English (GPE); investigating the theoretical background against which it has developed and, thus, questioning the validity of equating ESP with the learner's specialized subject-matter or specialist register; and considering the major types of ESP courses which have branched off ESP. The second chapter is concerned with the main changes that have occurred in ESP course design. It argues for a process-oriented approach since this type of syllabus, in its balanced form, accommodates the learner's real-world needs and process-learning needs. The process oriented movement has revolutionized the concept of 'learner needs'. The needs of the learner are not only viewed in terms of language items or course content but also in terms of the psychological aspects of the learning process and classroom learning behaviours. Chapter Three establishes a view of needs analysis and course design which takes the learner's perception of her needs as a starting point. This view is opposed to the needs analysis associated with Munby 's work (1978). It proceeds from the concept of 'need' and is built upon the ideas emerging from the process- oriented movement. It emphasises the centrality of the learner’s role in the needs analysis and course design procedures. Chapter Four represents a case study conducted at Dublin City University (D.C.U.). The study arose from a concern about how adult learners envisaged their needs and, thus, the extent to which they could act as informants regarding the content of the language course and the teaching-learning methodology. It was inspired by a belief that EAP learners are not necessarily instrumentally motivated and, therefore, their needs cannot be met by a course which proceeds from a target-situation needs analysis. In addition to supporting our assumption, the study has provided some insights into the nature of learner needs and learning styles and perceptions of teacher-learner role. Chapter Five aims at highlighting some of the subskills and strategies involved in each of the four skills with reference to specialized needs. It provides suggestions for selecting learning materials and some teaching implications. The final chapter discusses some conclusions about the implications which this research provides for ESP instruction and course design

Twilight of the Anthropocene idols

Following on from Theory and the Disappearing Future, Cohen, Colebrook and Miller turn their attention to the eco-critical and environmental humanities’ newest and most fashionable of concepts, the Anthropocene. The question that has escaped focus, as “tipping points” are acknowledged as passed, is how language, mnemo-technologies, and the epistemology of tropes appear to guide the accelerating ecocide, and how that implies a mutation within reading itself—from the era of extinction events.Only in this moment of seeming finality, the authors argue, does there arise an opportunity to be done with mourning and begin reading. Drawing freely on Paul de Man’s theory of reading, anthropomorphism and the sublime, Twilight of the Anthropocene Idols argues for a mode of critical activism liberated from all-too-human joys and anxieties regarding the future. It was quite a few decades ago (1983) that Jurgen Habermas declared that ‘master thinkers had fallen on hard times.’ His pronouncement of hard times was premature. For master thinkers it is the best of times. Not only is the world, supposedly, falling into a complete absence of care, thought and frugality, a few hyper-masters have emerged to tell us that these hard times should be the best of times. It is precisely because we face the end that we should embrace our power to geo-engineer, stage the revolution, return to profound thinking, reinvent the subject, and recognize ourselves fully as one global humanity. Enter anthropos