International Journal of Language and Linguistics

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A Comparative Study of a Multi-Dimension/Multi-Feature Approach Between Chinese Debate and Speech

Received: Aug. 08, 2018    Accepted: Sep. 10, 2018    Published: Oct. 12, 2018
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Abstract

This study compares and analyzes Chinese debate and speech from the perspective of registers, which makes itself significant since it fills the gaps in the field. This paper is based on a self-built corpus and refers in Biber’s Multi-dimension/Multi-feature Approach. The quantitative statistical results show that there are 44 significant differences among the 65 linguistic features of debate and speech registers, and that these feature differences, from the macroscopic view, can be summarized into 8 different dimensions, which, to be specific, are known respectively as Multi-directional Interaction VS Single-directional Communication, Demonstrative VS Narrative, Intense Confrontation VS Deliberate Storytelling, Centralized Focuses VS Dispersing Contents, Precise Expressions VS Diverse Methods of Expressions, Informative VS Affective, Specialized VS Universal, along with Literate Style VS Oral Style. Why there are these linguistic features and dimensional differences between the two registers is also explained. It could be fair to say that this study makes a breakthrough on the basis of Biber’s research which mainly put its focus on linguistic features at the lexical, syntactic perspectives. And that is to advance comparing linguistic features between debate and speech registers to perspectives of phonetics and speeds. Yet it has its deficiency for failing to conduct factor analysis in the process of dimension induction due to the limited volume of text corpus.

DOI 10.11648/j.ijll.20180605.14
Published in International Journal of Language and Linguistics ( Volume 6, Issue 5, September 2018 )
Page(s) 163-172
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Debate, Speech, Multi-dimension, Multi-feature, Comparison

References
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[2] Hymes, Dell. Foundations in Sociolinguistics: An Ethnographic Approach. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press 1974.
[3] Biber, Douglas. A model of textual relations within the written and spoken modes. Unpublished Ph.D. dissertation, University of Southern California 1984.
[4] Biber, Douglas. Investigating macroscopic textual variation through multi-feature/multi-dimensional analyses. Linguistic. Vol. 23, No. 2, 1985, pp. 337-360.
[5] Biber, Douglas. Spoken and written textual dimensions in English: Resolving the contradictory findings. Language. Vol. 62, No. 2, 1986, pp. 384-414.
[6] Biber, Douglas. Variation across Speech and Writing. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press 1988.
[7] Biber, Douglas. On the complexity of discourse complexity: A multidimensional analysis. Discourse Processes. Vol. 15, No. 2, 1992, pp. 133-163.
[8] Biber, Douglas. Dimensions of Register Variation: A Cross-linguistic Comparison. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press 1995.
[9] Biber, Douglas. Corpus-based analyses of discourse: Dimensions of variation in conversation. In Vijay Bhatia, John Flowerdew & Rodney H. Jones (eds.) Advances in discourse studies, London: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, 2008 pp.100-114.
[10] Biber, Douglas, Susan Conrad, Randi Reppen, Pat Byrd & Marie Helt. 2002 Speaking and writing in the university: A multi-dimensional comparison. TESOL Quarterly. Vol. 36, No.1, 2002, pp. 9-48.
[11] Biber, Douglas, Susan Conrad. Registers, Genre, and Styles. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press 2007.
[12] Lei, Xiuyun, YangHuizhong. Corpus-based Approaches and the MD/MF Model in Stylistic Study of English for Academic Purposed. Contemporary Linguistics. Vol. 3, No.2, 2001, pp. 143-151.
[13] Wu, Jiangsheng. A Review of Multi-Dimensional Approach to Register Variation. Journal of PLA University of Foreign Languages. Vol. 24, No.3, 2001, pp. 6-9.
[14] Wu, Jiangsheng. A academic e-mails stylistic features analysis based on Multi-dimensional approach. Foreign Languages and Their Teaching. Vol. 179, No.2, 2004, pp. 53-57.
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[16] Gui, Shichun. A corpus-based analysis of the register of English linguistics. Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press 2009.
[17] Wen, Qiufang. A Study on Changes of Register Features in Learner English. Journal of Foreign Languages. Vol. 32, No.4, 2009, pp. 2-10.
[18] Hu, Xianyao. A corpus-based multi-dimensional analysis of the stylistic features of translated Chinese. Foreign Language Teaching and Research. Vol. 42, No.6, 2010, pp. 451-458.
[19] Zhang, Wujiang. Average speed of TV commercials and its understanding of audiences. Modern Communication. Vol. 182, No.9, 2011, pp.148-149.
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  • APA Style

    Liu Yanchun, Hu Fengguo, Zhao Yi, Qiu Le. (2018). A Comparative Study of a Multi-Dimension/Multi-Feature Approach Between Chinese Debate and Speech. International Journal of Language and Linguistics, 6(5), 163-172. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20180605.14

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    ACS Style

    Liu Yanchun; Hu Fengguo; Zhao Yi; Qiu Le. A Comparative Study of a Multi-Dimension/Multi-Feature Approach Between Chinese Debate and Speech. Int. J. Lang. Linguist. 2018, 6(5), 163-172. doi: 10.11648/j.ijll.20180605.14

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    AMA Style

    Liu Yanchun, Hu Fengguo, Zhao Yi, Qiu Le. A Comparative Study of a Multi-Dimension/Multi-Feature Approach Between Chinese Debate and Speech. Int J Lang Linguist. 2018;6(5):163-172. doi: 10.11648/j.ijll.20180605.14

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ijll.20180605.14,
      author = {Liu Yanchun and Hu Fengguo and Zhao Yi and Qiu Le},
      title = {A Comparative Study of a Multi-Dimension/Multi-Feature Approach Between Chinese Debate and Speech},
      journal = {International Journal of Language and Linguistics},
      volume = {6},
      number = {5},
      pages = {163-172},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijll.20180605.14},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20180605.14},
      eprint = {https://download.sciencepg.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijll.20180605.14},
      abstract = {This study compares and analyzes Chinese debate and speech from the perspective of registers, which makes itself significant since it fills the gaps in the field. This paper is based on a self-built corpus and refers in Biber’s Multi-dimension/Multi-feature Approach. The quantitative statistical results show that there are 44 significant differences among the 65 linguistic features of debate and speech registers, and that these feature differences, from the macroscopic view, can be summarized into 8 different dimensions, which, to be specific, are known respectively as Multi-directional Interaction VS Single-directional Communication, Demonstrative VS Narrative, Intense Confrontation VS Deliberate Storytelling, Centralized Focuses VS Dispersing Contents, Precise Expressions VS Diverse Methods of Expressions, Informative VS Affective, Specialized VS Universal, along with Literate Style VS Oral Style. Why there are these linguistic features and dimensional differences between the two registers is also explained. It could be fair to say that this study makes a breakthrough on the basis of Biber’s research which mainly put its focus on linguistic features at the lexical, syntactic perspectives. And that is to advance comparing linguistic features between debate and speech registers to perspectives of phonetics and speeds. Yet it has its deficiency for failing to conduct factor analysis in the process of dimension induction due to the limited volume of text corpus.},
     year = {2018}
    }
    

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    AB  - This study compares and analyzes Chinese debate and speech from the perspective of registers, which makes itself significant since it fills the gaps in the field. This paper is based on a self-built corpus and refers in Biber’s Multi-dimension/Multi-feature Approach. The quantitative statistical results show that there are 44 significant differences among the 65 linguistic features of debate and speech registers, and that these feature differences, from the macroscopic view, can be summarized into 8 different dimensions, which, to be specific, are known respectively as Multi-directional Interaction VS Single-directional Communication, Demonstrative VS Narrative, Intense Confrontation VS Deliberate Storytelling, Centralized Focuses VS Dispersing Contents, Precise Expressions VS Diverse Methods of Expressions, Informative VS Affective, Specialized VS Universal, along with Literate Style VS Oral Style. Why there are these linguistic features and dimensional differences between the two registers is also explained. It could be fair to say that this study makes a breakthrough on the basis of Biber’s research which mainly put its focus on linguistic features at the lexical, syntactic perspectives. And that is to advance comparing linguistic features between debate and speech registers to perspectives of phonetics and speeds. Yet it has its deficiency for failing to conduct factor analysis in the process of dimension induction due to the limited volume of text corpus.
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Author Information
  • Faculty of Literature and Law, Communication University of China, Beijing, China

  • Faculty of Literature and Law, Communication University of China, Beijing, China

  • Academy of Media and Public Affairs, Communication University of China, Beijing, China

  • Faculty of Literature and Law, Communication University of China, Beijing, China

  • Section