The Register-Functional Approach to Grammatical Complexity: Theoretical Foundation, Descriptive Research Findings, Application

This collection combines the authors' previous research on the Register-Functional (RF) approach to grammatical complexity with new work, providing a unified theoretical account for further study. The book explores the development of the RF approach from sociolinguistic variation and text-linguistic study of register variation, demonstrating its application across corpus-based research studies on grammatical complexity in English. It highlights early work on patterns of complexity in spoken and written registers and extends this research to historical patterns and writing development. The volume is a comprehensive resource for students and scholars interested in descriptive linguistics or applied linguistics, particularly in grammatical complexity and empirical, corpus-based approaches.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 506 pages
Publication date: 29 January 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive collection brings together the authors' previous research with fresh insights into the Register-Functional (RF) approach to grammatical complexity. By integrating their previous work with new developments, the book offers a unified theoretical framework for further exploration. The book traces the evolution of the RF approach from its roots in two significant research strands in linguistics: sociolinguistic variation and text-linguistic study of register variation. Building upon this foundation, the authors showcase the RF framework in action through a series of corpus-based research studies focused specifically on grammatical complexity in English.

The volume highlights early investigations into patterns of grammatical complexity in contemporary spoken and written registers, as well as subsequent studies that extend this research to historical patterns of register variation and its application to writing development for L1 and L2 English university students. In addition, introductory chapters that connect the various studies provide readers with a comprehensive resource to understand the RF approach to grammatical complexity and its potential implications for future research.

The volume is designed to appeal to students and scholars with interests in descriptive linguistics or applied linguistics, particularly those who are passionate about grammatical complexity and empirical, corpus-based approaches. It serves as a valuable resource for those seeking to deepen their understanding of this innovative approach to language analysis.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032138916