Python for Linguists

by Michael Hammond

Specifically designed for linguists, this book provides an introduction to programming using Python for those with little to no experience of coding. Python is one of the most popular and widely-used programming languages as it's also available for free and runs on any operating system. All examples in the text involve language data and can be adapted or used directly for language research. The text focuses on key language-related issues: searching, text manipulation, text encoding and internet data, providing an excellent resource for language research. More experienced users of Python will also benefit from the advanced chapters on graphical user interfaces and functional programming.

Genres: Linguistics, Textbooks

295 pages, Paperback

Published May 31, 2020

Reviews

[Chadi Raheb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think you must have at least a quite good basic knowledge of python before starting this book or you might get frustrated; because this book won't really teach you python but shows you how to use it to deal with your linguistic data.


Notice:
- Even if you know how to code in python, this isn't a WOW book, but it's interesting enough to be worthy of your time because of the topics it can bring to your attention. We need more of these kinds of books...
- Not all the codes in the book would return the results it claims they would. But no worries; you get to it once you play with the codes yourself. And isn't it the beauty of coding? (Well, not always, yeah...)

[Beatriz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't want to give a bad rating because I'm sure there is a lot of work put into this book, but it is simply not well marketed.
If you don't have even basic programming skills, I don't think this book will be of much use. More than an introduction, it would be the continuation of such. But I imagine that it is as useful as a book about Phyton can be, maybe it is the format that fails and not the content. I'll have to come back to it once I've studied more programming and maybe it will be more useful then.

[Александр Гидревич · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting topic and definitely aiming for establishing bridge between your linguistic and computer interests and by this virtue wholeheartedly welcomed. But... But the book is written as supporting material for lectures and author/lecturer near you ready to answer or comment your questions. Exercises often in need of clear solutions or at least should be preceded with examples. Но на безрыбье и рак рыба.

[Eduardo Hoppenstedt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excelent book for novice programmers that want to learn how to program with Python to process text and languages.
I suggest a previous introduction to Python programming by taking an online introductory course. Then this book will cover the gaps and strengthen your knowledge.
A great book.
I did not like that the author doesn’t clearly explain the output of many scripts and is assuming that you have a computer to follow along, this is why I don’t give a 5 star mark, but I do recommend the book and think it is of tremendous value to anyone who wants to learn how to program