ET118-30 Linguistics: Understanding Language
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 aims
The module aims to introduce students to the study of formal linguistics and its main branches; familiarise them with the analysis of language, including its sounds (phonetics and phonology), structures (morphology and syntax) and meaning (semantics and pragmatics); introduce students to similarities and differences among languages; enable students to carry out some practical analysis of real language data.
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
Study time
Type | Required |
---|---|
Lectures | 18 sessions of 2 hours (12%) |
Seminars | 18 sessions of 1 hour (6%) |
Other activity | 6 hours (2%) |
Private study | 240 hours (80%) |
Total | 300 hours |
Private study description
Reading subject materials
Homework tasks
Assignments
Revision
Other activity description
Revision sessions
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group C3
Weighting | Study time | |
---|---|---|
Coursework 1 | 25% | |
Data-analysis/problem-solving questions |
||
Coursework 2 | 25% | |
Data-analysis/problem-solving questions |
||
Online Examination | 50% | |
Unseen examination ~Platforms - AEP,Moodle
|
Feedback on assessment
Written feedback on the assignments will be provided on one of the Centre's standard feedback sheets, designed to conform to Faculty regulations. This will include both summary and detailed feedback. Where appropriate, additional feedback may be provided via personal meetings with the tutor.
Post-requisite modules
If you pass this module, you can take:
- ET229-15 Phonetics and Phonology
Courses
This module is Core for:
- Year 1 of ULNA-R1Q2 Undergraduate French Studies with Linguistics
- Year 1 of ULNA-R1Q3 Undergraduate French and Linguistics
- Year 1 of ULNA-R2Q2 Undergraduate German Studies with Linguistics
- Year 1 of ULNA-R2Q3 Undergraduate German and Linguistics
- Year 1 of ULNA-R4Q1 Undergraduate Hispanic Studies and Linguistics
- Year 1 of ULNA-R3Q3 Undergraduate Italian and Linguistics
- Year 1 of UETA-X3Q5 Undergraduate Language, Culture and Communication
- Year 1 of UETA-X3Q8 Undergraduate Language, Culture and Communication (with Intercalated Year)
- Year 1 of UETA-Q1A9 Undergraduate Linguistics with Arabic (with Intercalated Year)
- Year 1 of UETA-Q1A7 Undergraduate Linguistics with Chinese (with Intercalated Year)
- Year 1 of UETA-Q1A1 Undergraduate Linguistics with French (with Intercalated Year)
- Year 1 of UETA-Q1A2 Undergraduate Linguistics with German (with Intercalated Year)
- Year 1 of UETA-Q1A3 Undergraduate Linguistics with Italian(with Intercalated Year)
- Year 1 of UETA-Q1A8 Undergraduate Linguistics with Japanese (with Intercalated Year)
- Year 1 of UETA-Q1A5 Undergraduate Linguistics with Portuguese (with Intercalated Year)
- Year 1 of UETA-Q1A6 Undergraduate Linguistics with Russian (with Intercalated Year)
- Year 1 of UETA-Q1A4 Undergraduate Linguistics with Spanish (with Intercalated Year)
- Year 1 of ULNA-R9Q1 Undergraduate Modern Languages and Linguistics
- Year 1 of UPSA-C802 Undergraduate Psychology with Linguistics
- Year 1 of UETA-Q311 in English Language and Linguistics (with Intercalated year)
This module is Core optional for:
- Year 1 of ULNA-R4Q1 Undergraduate Hispanic Studies and Linguistics
- Year 1 of UPSA-C802 Undergraduate Psychology with Linguistics