As one of the first studies to empirically test the hypothesis of distinct prosodic cues signalling formulaicity, Lin's exploration and careful description of various methods (e.g. automatic extraction, native speaker judgment) allow for an important evaluation of which methods are most appropriate and useful for identifying formulaic language ... Moreover, the level of detail with which Lin describes her method ... Read morepresents a useful research template that is easily transferable to other studies ... Provides a compelling contribution to the study of formulaicity and convincingly demonstrates the potential of prosodic cues for the identification of formulaic sequences.
Journal of Pragmatics
In a linguistic research world dominated by the computer’s love of the written word, we need a more methodical approach to the characterization and identification of formulaic language in speech. Phoebe Lin’s very welcome book takes the reader through the complex process of empirically identifying contributory factors marking formulaicity in spoken language, and explores methods for improving its identification.
Alison Wray, Research Professor in Language and Communication, Cardiff University, UK
Phoebe Lin's study is a very welcome contribution to the field of applied linguistics. She extends the traditional study of FS as discrete structures and reveals the importance of their functions in different discourse environments. The book is packed with insights and is highly recommended for advanced students and researchers.
Ronald Carter, Research Professor of Modern English Language, University of Nottingham, UK
The volume is a valuable and timely addition to the existing literature on formulaic language. Although recent years have seen a lot of interest in this phenomenon, prosody has been largely overlooked. The three empirical studies that make up the volume shed important light on the prosody of formulaic language, highlighting its unique role in language learning and use, and providing a rich research agenda for future enquiry.
Anna Siyanova, Senior Lecturer in Applied Linguistics, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand
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