Measuring grammatical complexity: The Gordian knot

Language Testing

Volumn 23, Issue 4, 2006, Pages 497-519

  Rimmer, Wayne M ^a,b  

^a UNIVERSITY OF READING   (United Kingdom)

^b IPS   (United Kingdom)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

EID: 33750582966     PISSN: 02655322     EISSN: 14770946     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1191/0265532206lt339oa     Document Type: Article

References (79)

1. Alderson, C. 2000: Assessing reading. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
2. Alderson, C. and Huhta, A. 2005: The development of a suite of computer-based diagnostic tests based on the Common European Framework. Language Testing 22, 301-20.
3. Bachman, L. 1990: Fundamental considerations in language testing. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
4. Bachman, L. 2004: Statistical analyses for language assessment. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
5. Bachman, L.F. and Cohen, A.D., editors, 1998: Interfaces between second language acquisition and language testing research. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
6. Biber, D. and Conrad, S. 2001: Quantitative corpus-based research: much more than bean counting. TESOL Quarterly 35, 331-36.
7. Biber, D. and Reppen, R. 1998: Comparing native and learner perspectives on English grammar: a study of complement clauses. In Granger, S., editor, Learner English on computer. London: Longman, 145-58.
8. Biber, D., Conrad, S. and Reppen, R. 1994: Corpus-based approaches to issues in applied linguistics. Applied Linguistics 15, 169-89.
9. Biber, D., Johansson, S., Leech, G., Conrad, S. and Finegan, E. 1999: Longman grammar of spoken and written English. Harlow: Longman.
10. Blokh, M. 2004: A course in theoretical English grammar. Moscow: Vishaya Shkola.
11. Botha, R. 1968: The function of the lexicon in transformational generative grammar. Janua Linguarum, Series Maior 38. The Hague: Mouton.
12. Brazil, D. 1995: A grammar of speech. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
13. Buck, G. 2001: Assessing listening. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
14. Canale, M. and Swain, M. 1980: Theoretical bases of communicative approaches to second language teaching and testing. Applied Linguistics 1, 1-47.
15. Carroll, B.J. and West, R. 1989: ESU Framework: performance scales for English language examinations. London: Longman and English Speaking Union.
16. Carter, R. and McCarthy, M. 1995: Grammar and the spoken language. Applied Linguistics 16, 141-158.
17. Chapelle, C. 1998: Construct definition and validity inquiry in SLA research. In Bachman, L.F. and Cohen, A.D., editors, Interfaces between second language acquisition and language testing research, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 32-48.
18. Charles, M. 2000: The role of an introductory it pattern in constructing an appropriate academic persona. In Thompson, P., editor, Patterns and perspectives: insights into EAP writing practice. Reading: Centre for Applied Language Studies, University of Reading, 45-59.
19. Chomsky, N. 1965: Aspects of the theory of syntax. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
20. Cook, G. 2000: Language play, language learning. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
21. Corrigan, A. and Upshur, J. 1982: Test method and linguistic factors in foreign language tests. International Review of Applied Linguistics 20, 313-321.
22. Council of Europe 2001: Common European framework of reference for languages: learning, teaching, assessment. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
23. Creer, S. and Thompson, P. 2005: TEI mark-up of spoken language data: the BASE experience. Reading Working Papers in Linguistics 8, 149-74.
24. Cumming, A. and Mellow, D. 1996: An investigation into the validity of written indicators of second language proficiency. In Cumming, A. and Berwick, R., editors, Validation in language testing. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters, 72-93.
25. DeKeyser, R. 2005: What makes learning second-language grammar difficult? A review of issues. Language Learning 55, 1-25.
26. Dirven, R. 1990: Pedagogical grammar. Language Teaching 23, 1-18.
27. Eastwood, J. 2005: Oxford learner's grammar. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
28. Elliot, A.J. 1981: Child language. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
29. Figueras, N., North, B., Takala, S., Verhelst, N. and Van Avermaet, P. 2005: Relating examinations to the Common European Framework: a manual. Language Testing 22, 261-79.
30. Foster-Cohen, S. 1999: An introduction to child language development. London: Longman.
31. Frazier, S. 2003: A corpus analysis of would-clauses without adjacent if-clauses. TESOL Quarterly 37, 443-66.
32. Fulcher, G. 1987: Tests of oral performance: the need for data-based criteria. English Language Teaching Journal 41, 287-91.
33. Galloway, I. 2005: Computer learner corpora and their pedagogical application. TESOL Quarterly 39, 333-39.
34. George, E. 1997: Deception on his mind. London: Hodder and Stoughton.
35. Ghadessy, M. and Gao, Y. 2001: Small corpora and translation. In Ghadessy, M., Henry, A. and Roseberry, R., editors, Small corpus studies and ELT, Amsterdam: John Benjamins, 335-59.
36. Granger, S. 1998: The computer learner corpus: a versatile new source of data for SLA research. In Granger, S., editor, Learner English on Computer, London: Longman, 3-18.
37. Halliday, M. 1991: Corpus studies and probabilistic grammar. In Aijmer, K. and Altenberg, B., editors, English corpus linguistics: studies in honour of Jan Svartvik. London: Longman, 30-43.
38. Halliday, M. 1994: An introduction to functional grammar. 2nd edition. London: Edward Arnold.
39. Hassan, R. 1987: The grammarian's dream: lexis as most delicate grammar. In Halliday, M. and Fawcett, R., editors, New developments in systemic linguistics. Volume 1: theory and description, London: Frances Pinter, 184-211.
40. Heyworth, F. 2005: The common European framework of reference: what's in it for teachers? Modern English Teacher 14, 52-60.
41. Hill, J. 2000: Revising priorities: from grammatical failure to collocational success. In Lewis, M., editor, Teaching collocation, Hove: Language Teaching Publications, 47-69.
42. Howard, M. 2004: On the interactional effect of linguistic constraints on inter-language variation: the case of past-time marking. International Review of Applied Linguistics 42, 319-34.
43. Huddleston, R., Pullum, G. and Peterson, P. 2002: Relative constructions and unbounded dependencies. In Huddleston, R. and Pullum, G., The Cambridge grammar of the English language, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1031-96.
44. Hunston, S. 2002: Corpora in applied linguistics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
45. IELTS 2005: IELTS handbook. British Council, IELTS Australia, University of Cambridge ESOL examinations.
46. James, C. 1998: Errors in language learning and use. London: Longman.
47. Laufer, B. 1990: Why are some words more difficult than others?: some intralexical factors that affect the learning of words. International Review of Applied Linguistics 28, 293-307.
48. Leech, G. and Svartvik, J. 2003: A communicative grammar of English. 3rd edition. Harlow: Pearson Education.
49. Leech, G., Rayson, P. and Wilson, A. 2001: Word frequencies in written and spoken English. Harlow: Pearson Education.
50. Lyons, J. 1995: Linguistic semantics: an introduction. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
51. McCarthy, M. 2001: Issues in applied linguistics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
52. McNamara, T. 1990: Item response theory and the validation of an ESP test for health professionals. Language Testing 7, 52-75.
53. Messick, S. 1989: Meaning and values in test validation: the science and ethics of assessment. Educational Researcher 18, 5-11.
54. Meyer, C.F. 2002: English corpus linguistics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
55. Mindt, D. 1997: Corpora and the teaching of English in Germany. In Wichmann, A., Fligelstone, S., McEnery, T. and Knowles, G., editors, Teaching and language corpora. New York: Longman, 40-50.
56. Newmeyer, F. 2003: Grammar is grammar and usage is usage. Language 79, 682-797.
57. North, B. and Schneider, G. 1998: Scaling descriptors for language proficiency tests. Language Testing 15, 217-63.
58. Odlin, T. 1989: Language transfer. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
59. Oostdijk, N. 1991: Corpus linguistics and the automatic analysis of English. Amsterdam: Rodopi.
60. Ortega, L. 2003: Syntactic complexity measures and their relationship to L2 proficiency: a research synthesis of college-level L2 writing. Applied Linguistics 24, 492-518.
61. Owen, C. 1996: Do concordances require to be consulted? English Language Teaching Journal 50, 219-24.
62. Pawley, A. and Syder, F. 1983: Two puzzles for linguistic theory: nativelike selection and nativelike fluency. In Richards, J. and Schmidt, R., editors, Language and communication. London: Longman, 191-226.
63. Purpura, J. 2004: Assessing grammar. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
64. Quirk, R., Greenbaum, S., Leech, G. and Svartvik, J. 1985: A comprehensive grammar of the English language. London: Longman.
65. Radford, A. 2004: Minimalist Syntax. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
66. Richards, J., editor, 1984: Error analysis. London: Longman, 31-54.
67. Rimmer, W. 2004: Advanced grammar. International House Journal 13, 9-11.
68. Sampson, G. 1996: From central embedding to corpus linguistics. In Thomas, J. and Short, M., editors, Using corpora for language research, London: Longman, 14-26.
69. Schlichting, J. and Lutje Spelberg, H. 2003: A test for measuring syntactic development in young children. Language Testing 20, 241-66.
70. Schreuder, R. and Kerkman, H. 1987: On the use of a lexical database in psycholinguistic research. In Meijs, W., editor, Corpus linguistics and beyond, proceedings of the seventh international conference on English language research on computerized corpora, Amsterdam: Rodopi, 295-302.
71. Sinclair, J. 2003: Reading concordances: an introduction. London: Longman.
72. Sinclair, J. and Coulthard, R. 1975: Towards an analysis of discourse. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
73. Sinclair, J. and Renouf, A. 1988: A lexical syllabus for language learning. In Carter, R. and McCarthy, M., editors, Vocabulary and language teaching, Harlow: Longman, 140-60.
74. Singleton, D. 1999: Exploring the second language mental lexicon. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
75. Soars, J. and Soars, L. 2003: Headway advanced. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
76. Swan, M. 2005: Practical English usage. 3rd edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
77. Upshur, J. and Turner, C. 1995: Constructing rating scales for second language tests. English Language Teaching Journal 49, 3-12.
78. Van Vallin, R. and LaPolla, R. 1997: Syntax. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
79. West, M. 1953: A general service list of English words. London: Longman.