Corpus linguistics as a methodology for conducting empirical language studies and its development in Kazakhstan

Abstract

The methodology of corpus analysis is widely spreading today in modern linguistics. This methodology enables linguists to conduct empirical language studies based on corpora or computerized text data. In this regard, this paper presents foundational principles and approaches of corpus linguistics, as well as examines its development in Kazakhstan. The empirical part of the study was based on content analysis of articles related to corpus linguistics or corpus analysis and published in two Kazakhstani research journals. The analysis showed that local researchers seldom use corpus analysis in their studies; however, the interest in this methodology seems to be growing. Moreover, we found that the application of corpus analysis is limited in variety and to less sophisticated methods which suggests that there is a need for enhancing methodological training in corpus linguistics in Kazakhstan. Some recommendations are also suggested in the paper on how to increase research capacity in corpus linguistics in the country.