Description
This course will be concerned with the interpretation of historical change in current phonological theories, with particular emphasis on theories of the representation of phonological units. We will examine the suitability of the generative paradigm for the description of sound changes such as Breaking, i-umlaut, and the Great Vowel Shift, and will consider the status of processes such as Open Syllable Lengthening and Homorganic Lengthening.
Teaching method
Two-hour seminar per week
Admission requirements
Introductory and advanced BA courses in phonetics and phonology (Linguistics 4, 6AB or comparable).
Course objectives
To extend the students’ knowledge of phonological theory acquired in earlier courses (e.g. Linguistics 6AB) to historical data; to introduce them to the question of the relationship between theory and historical data, in particular the extent to which a particular theoretical paradigm determines the reconstruction of what ‘actually happened’ in particular sound changes in the history of English.
Required reading
Articles.
Test method
Essay (50%) and written examination (50%).
Time table
The timetable will be available from June 1st on the Internet.
Information
English Department, P.N. van Eyckhof 4, room 102c. Phone: 071 527 2144, or by mail: English@hum.leidenuniv.nl
Registration
Students can register through U-twist before 15 July, After 15 July students can only register through the Departmental Office.
Blackboard
No.