Analysing Language Structure and Use (level 5)

• Credit value: 30 credits at Level 5
• Convenor: Kinga Kozminska
• Assessment: a take-home examination (50%) and 2000-word written assignment (50%)

This module introduces you to the leading ideas and theoretical proposals in linguistics. It aims to develop a critical understanding of the central assumptions of contemporary linguistics, to train you in the application of linguistic ideas and constructs to the analysis of language data, and to develop a familiarity with the aims and rationales for linguistic theory and its relevance and applications.

All second year students are required to take this module.

Indicative module syllabus

• What is language?
• Sounds of world languages: phonetics
• Sounds of world languages: phonology
• Situating variation: data session
• Words and word formation: morphology
• Understanding language change: data session with historical evidence
• Syntax: the phrase
• Syntax: the sentence
• What is possible? Systems and typological differences
• Reflections and future direction