Open AccessThe dilemma of analytic units in textual research: problems and possible solutions
Author(s) -
Izaskun Elorza
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
vigo international journal of applied linguistics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.191
H-Index - 11
eISSN - 2660-504X
pISSN - 1697-0381
DOI - 10.35869/vial.v0i0.3865
Subject(s) - dilemma , dichotomy , unit (ring theory) , computer science , analytic element method , the void , register (sociolinguistics) , linguistics , sociology , epistemology , mathematics , mathematics education , philosophy , physics , finite element method , thermodynamics
When investigating descriptive analyses of real-world language samples we find a highly varied use of analytic units. However, the use of different units of a suprasentential order makes it difficult to generalize the results obtained in such analyses, which supposes a dilemma in text research. This article is an attempt at delimiting the most relevant analytic units, focusing on the dichotomies 'text/discourse', 'register/genre', theoretical unit/practical unit' and 'level/range'. The background of terms is analyzed with a view to find a series of rules which would fill the void of a missing singles analytic criterion. We also consider the practical environment of discourse in the areas of language for specific purposes and translation, where this problem frequently surfaces