The book investigates the application of computational methods to linguistic analysis. It explores how large collections of text and speech data, known as corpora, can be used to develop and refine theories of language, as well as to build practical natural language processing systems. The work details the methodologies and tools employed in corpus linguistics, focusing on their role in understanding language structure, variation, and change.

The book is recognized as a foundational text in corpus-based computational linguistics, offering a comprehensive overview of the field's methodologies and applications. Its detailed approach to data analysis and its exploration of practical NLP applications have made it a valuable resource for researchers and students. The work is noted for its rigorous treatment of computational techniques applied to linguistic problems, providing a solid basis for further study and development in the area.