Language in Flux by Robin Cooper

Language in Flux by Robin Cooper

The papers in this collection present a view of language as an evolving system within which flexibility is systemic and subject to progressive change, driven by pressures of every-day coordinative action as in conversational dialogue. As these papers demonstrate, these pressures provide a force for variation, hence for adaptation, and change. Topics covered include formal and game-theoretical models of evolution, diachronic studies of change (semantic, syntactic, lexical) and the role of dialogue factors in promoting such change, psycholinguistic experimental methods probing the nature of coordination in both language and non-language based interaction, formal modelling of dialogue, and probabilistic studies of language variation. Authors include highly influential researchers: Joan Bresnan, Devyani Sharma and Ashwini Deo; Robin Cooper and Aarne Ranta; Ronnie Cann and Ruth Kempson; Miriam Bouzouita; Jonathan Ginzburg and Zoran Macura; Patrick Healey; Gerhard Jaeger; Simon Kirby, Hannah Cornish and Kenny Smith; Staffan Larson; Elizabeth Traugott. Together these papers present a cross-disciplinary synergy reflecting the view that human linguistic behaviour is essentially coordinative, and, within this general perspective, that language is a system of intrinsic flexibility, hence perpetually in a state of flux.This view involves a radical shift in assumptions away from the traditional view that language competence is a static system relative to which the dynamics of language performance has to be defined; and each paper, in its own way, explores what is involved in modifying such a clear-cut division.

For a period of years, ROBERT COOPER served as Group Treasurer of Whitbread Plc, where he was in charge of all treasury matters. He has a lot of experience with maximizing the value of the treasury department. Prior to becoming Group Treasurer, he worked at Whitbread in a variety of financial responsibilities and for Esmark Inc. GKN PLC is another example. He is currently employed at BRC Consultancy as a consultant specializing in corporate treasury reviews.

Robert Cooper has given talks and lectures on a variety of corporate finance and treasury themes at a number of conferences and seminars. He holds an economics degree, is a Chartered Accountant, and belongs to the Association of Corporate Treasurers.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9781904987963
ISBN 10	1904987966
Title	Language in Flux
Author	Robin Cooper
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	College Publications
Year published	2008-08-04
Number of pages	344
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.