Chapter 4. The collection of Anglicisms

This article raises some methodological questions related to data collection in connection with Norwegian Anglicism studies. Specifically, it queries the extent to which results from methodologically divergent studies can be used for comparative purposes, such as estimating the rate of impact of English influence on the Norwegian vocabulary, something which represents an important foundation for present-day language policy. Questions that are raised and discussed concern the unit of investigation itself and types of criteria used to identify Anglicisms: the factors of age and degree of establishment, the type and size of the source material, and the treatment and presentation of data. The article concludes that some methodological problems may be alleviated in the future by using computerized research corpora.