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Corpus-based Approaches to Register Variation
Edited by Elena Seoane and Douglas Biber
[Studies in Corpus Linguistics 103] 2021
► pp. 235–258

Chapter 9
On the importance of register in learner writing

A multi-dimensional approach

| Uppsala University
| University of Louvain
| Northern Arizona University
The present study explores the relative importance of register in learner writing vis-à-vis learner-internal factors such as first-language background. Using multi-dimensional analysis, the study looks at learner and native-speaker student writing from two registers (argumentative essays and research papers), in comparison to published scientific articles. The results show that while certain differences could be noted across first-language background, the main differences were found between the registers, stressing its importance as a moderating variable. Specifically, the research papers and the scientific articles were characterized by topic-focussed, factual descriptions, and the argumentative texts by a more personal style. The results thus highlight the importance of taking register into consideration in learner corpus research studies.
Keywords: learner corpus research, English as a Foreign Language, first-language background, multi-dimensional analysis, register, argumentative essays, research papers, scientific articles
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Register variation in learner corpus research
  • 3.Data and method
    • 3.1Corpora
    • 3.2Method
  • 4.Results and discussion
    • 4.1The dimensions
    • 4.2The effect of L1 background, NS status, and register
      • 4.2.1Dimension 1: Personal vs. topic-focussed style
      • 4.2.2Dimension 2: Evaluative style vs. factual descriptions
  • 5.Conclusion
  • Notes
  • References
Published online: 8 December 2021
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/scl.103.09lar
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