Admission requirements
None.
Description
Linguistic structures are generally not randomly distributed around the globe: some seem to be universally preferred, others are common in certain parts of the world, or in particular language families. The goal of modern typology is to detect distributional patterns, and to explain them in terms of factors that influence the historical development of languages. Typological work crucially depends on language description, but at the same time, typology feeds back into language description.
During this course, we highlight this co-dependency between descriptive linguistics and language typology by studying phonological, morphological, syntactic, and lexical patterns both in individual languages, and across languages. We will study a number of structural similarities and differences between languages, focusing on questions such as: “Which features coincide?” “Why are some patterns much more common than others?” “Are some patterns particularly common in e.g. Africa or South America?” “How can language X be compared to language Y?”
In doing so, you will become acquainted with the fundamentals of language description and typology. In addition, we will discuss how typological knowledge informs linguistic fieldwork on an undescribed language.
Course objectives
At the end of this course, you will have:
An understanding of the ways in which languages are similar (linguistic universals) and different (linguistic diversity), and how you can describe this for individual languages with which you are unacquainted.
Knowledge of fundamental concepts and methods regarding language typology and language description
Basic skills needed to apply typological principles on primary data (gathered in fieldwork for example)
Basic skills in translating structures in individual languages into a typological framework
Timetable
The timetables are available through My Timetable.
Mode of instruction
- Seminar
Assessment method
Written examination with short open questions
Take home examination/assignment
*
Assessment
Midterm exam 50%
Group assignment 50%
Weighing
The final mark for the course is established by determining the weighted average. To pass the course, the weighted average of the partial grades must be 5.5 or higher.
Resit
Students can resit the midterm. If they fail the report, they can take an extra assignment.
Inspection and feedback
How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organized.
Reading list
To be announced
Registration
Enrolment through My Studymap is mandatory
General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the website.
Registration À la carte education, Contract teaching and Exchange
Information for those interested in taking this course in context of À la carte education (without taking examinations), eg. about costs, registration and conditions.
Information for those interested in taking this course in context of Contract teaching (with taking examinations), eg. about costs, registration and conditions.
For the registration of exchange students contact Humanities International Office.
Contact
For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar
For questions related to the content of the course, please contact the lecturer, you can find their contact information by clicking on their name in the sidebar.
For questions regarding enrollment please contact the Education Administration Office Reuvensplaats
For questions regarding your studyprogress contact the Coordinator of Studies
Remarks
All other information.