Acknowledgements and dedication

I am deeply thankful to the many people who have contributed to this work — colleagues, editors, reviewers, family, and friends. To avoid the risk of overlooking anyone, I express my gratitude to all collectively, without listing individual names.

I would like to dedicate this monograph to Douglas Biber and Randi Reppen, whose influence has been both profound and personal — in recognition of their careers and the lasting impact they have had on my life.

This dedication honors Douglas Biber for his exceptional contribution to the field of corpus linguistics and to my own academic journey. His pioneering work on Multi-Dimensional Analysis has transformed our understanding of language variation and continues to inspire scholars across disciplines. I had the privilege of working under his supervision as a visiting scholar at Northern Arizona University in 2008 — an experience that profoundly shaped the development of the American Movie Corpus and the analytical framework of this book. His generosity, methodological rigor, and insightful feedback have left an enduring mark on my research.

Randi Reppen’s presence in my life is deeply cherished. Her kindness, encouragement, and unwavering support — both academic and personal — have meant more than words can convey. I am grateful not only for the professional insights she has shared, but also for the warmth and generosity that have defined our connection over the years — “people cluster, like words do.”

It is with deep respect, heartfelt gratitude, and great affection that I dedicate this book to them both.

Pierfranca Forchini