This article provides an overview of key terms in text linguistics according to different theoretical models, from cognitive approaches to the systemic-functional model and genre analysis. Basic notions such as text type, pragmatic function, register, language variation, speech act, discourse community etc. are illustrated and the pros and cons of different theories are compared in order to develop an approach suitable for distinguishing and classifying the broad range of text types
produced by EU institutions. This taxonomy and the principles upon which it is based are used as a reference grid to select comparable genres produced in Italy, Spain and the UK. In line with the selection method, text corpora have been compiled
to conduct comparative studies designed to assess the differences between the varieties of Italian, Spanish and English written at EU level and their counterparts at national level.
