In a previous study, Andersen (2002a) postulated that information of words in texts has to be examined from two aspects yielding two distinct measures called “speaker’s information content” (SIC) and “hearer’s information content” (HIC) which may differ in amount, i.e. SIC ≠ HIC, and cannot always be mechanically evaluated from the frequencies of words in the text. The idea is derived from the Fitts—Garner controversy in mathematical psychology (cf. Fitts et al. 1956; Garner 1962, 1970; Garner, Hake 1951; Coombs, Dawes, Tversky 1970; Evans 1967; Attneave 1959, 1968). Obviously, the problem is quite told but has not penetrated into linguistics as yet.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2007 Springer
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Andersen, S., Altmann, G. (2007). Information Content of Words in Texts. In: Grzybek, P. (eds) Contributions to the Science of Text and Language. Text, Speech and Language Technology, vol 31. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-4068-9_3
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-4068-9_3
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-1-4020-4067-2
Online ISBN: 978-1-4020-4068-9
eBook Packages: Humanities, Social Sciences and LawSocial Sciences (R0)