Introductory description

Understanding how language works will provide you with insights that can be used not only in your academic course but also in your future professional and personal life. This module will introduce you to how language is structured (morphology and syntax) and how it is used to construct meaning (semantics and pragmatics), to its sounds and sound patterns (phonetics and phonology) and written form. You’ll have the chance to explore examples from different languages and to develop practical analytical skills.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Introduction to linguistics
phonetics
phonology
morphology
syntax
semantics
pragmatics
selected topics: e.g. writing systems of the world, psychology of language, language contact and multilingualism, language diversity and change

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Upon successful completion of this course, students should have an understanding of linguistics. Students should then be able to: use disciplinary terminology to describe the sounds, sound patterns, morphology, syntax, and meaning of languages describe and discuss similarities and differences among languages apply their knowledge of linguistics to carry out practical analysis of language data, and justify this analysis with evidence transcribe and interpret language data with the International Phonetic Alphabet critically evaluate alternative analyses construct coherent lines of scientific argumentation

Indicative reading list

Ashby, P. (2013). Understanding phonetics. Routledge.
Baker, A. E. & Hengeveld, K. (2012) Linguistics. Oxford: Wiley Blackwell.
Braber, N., Cummings, L. and Morrish, L. (Eds.) (2015). Exploring language and linguistics. Cambridge: CUP.
Fromkin, V., Rodman, R. & Hyams, N. (2014). An Introduction to Language. (7th Edition). Andover: Cengage Learning.
Genetti, C. (Ed.) (2014) How languages work: An introduction to language and linguistics. Cambridge: CUP
Gussenhoven, C., & Jacobs, H. (2013). Understanding phonology. Routledge.
Haspelmath, M., & Sims, A. (2013). Understanding morphology. Routledge.
Löbner, S. (2013). Understanding semantics. Routledge.
Tallerman, M. (2014). Understanding syntax. Routledge.
Yule, G. (2014). The study of language. Fifth Edition. Cambridge: CUP.

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Interdisciplinary

The linguistic skills and knowledge that you acquire in this module will undoubtedly be transferred and applied in other modules where you study subfields of linguistics such as sociolinguistics and psycholinguistics, which are inherently interdisciplinary. Furthermore, the skills and knowledge you axquire will not only be invaluable in learning forgeign languages but also enhanced by the study of foreign languages.

International

Understanding how language works goes hand-in-hand with understanding how language works in social contexts locally, nationally and internationally. Through the study of semantics (meaning) and pragmatics (meaning in context), you will develop a better understanding of intercultural communication and, along with the study of the sounds and structures of the world's languages, you will develop a better appreciation for the human capacity for language and how it interacts with our cultures.

Subject specific skills

Demonstrate familiarity with the main concepts and terminology of formal linguistics
Demonstrate an ability to describe the sounds, sound systems, syntactical and morphological structures and meaning of language
Demonstrate the ability to analyse some language data and justify this analysis with evidence
Transcribe and interpret language data with the International Phonetic Alphabet

Transferable skills

Write up research-based work in a clear, informative and structured way
Communicate clearly in academic discussion and debates
Retrieve, evaluate critically and select relevant information to construct and support coherent lines of scientific argumentation
Demonstrate independence of thought and a degree of originality