Admission requirements
Students should have passed Linguistics 6: Phonology in the B.A. English Language and Culture (or equivalent course). If in doubt, consult the course tutor before registering.
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.
Course objectives
To extend the students’ knowledge of phonological theory acquired in earlier courses 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.
Timetable
The timetable will be available by June 1st on the website.
Mode of instruction
Seminar
Course Load
Time spent on attending seminars: 26 hours
time for studying the compulsory literature and preparing for the presentation: 132 hours
time to write a paper (including reading/research): 122 hours
Assessment Method
Written assignment 70%
Classroom contribution 30%
Blackboard
This course is supported by Blackboard.
Reading list
Articles to be made available.
Registration
Students should register through uSis. If you have any questions, please contact the departmental office, tel. 071 5272144 or mail ma-linguistics@hum.leidenuniv.nl.
Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs
Registration via Studeren à la carte
Registration via Contractonderwijs
Contact
MA Linguistics departmental office, P.N. van Eyckhof 4, room 102C. Tel. 071 5272144; ma-linguistics@hum.leidenuniv.nl.