Prospectus

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Linguistics 4: English Phonology and Syntax

Course
2024-2025

Admission requirements

Linguistics 2A and Linguistics 2B must have been successfully completed.

For this course transitional provisions apply. If you are a student who started the BA programme in 2021-2022 or earlier and have to retake this course, please check the 'More info'-tab or contact your study advisor.

Description

This course offers a further exploration of the phrase and sentence structure of English (block III) and the sounds and metrical structure of English (block IV), taking a generative theoretical perspective.
In the first part of the course, we introduce Noam Chomsky’s generative theory, which proposes that language is structured according to a set of rules. We show how generative syntactic theory accounts for what is possible in the syntax of English (and what is not). For the structural analysis of English syntax, we adopt X-bar theory, which posits a single uniform structure for all phrases and sentences. We also discuss argument structure and semantic (theta) role assignment and Case assignment. In addition, we pay attention to how heads and phrases may be displaced by means of syntactic movement.
In the second part of the course, we focus on suprasegmental aspects of English phonology – i.e., phonological structure above the level of the segment. We focus in particular on syllable structure and foot structure, and consider their role in stress and rhythm. We also consider phonological variation between different varieties of English, and first- and second-language acquisition of English phonetics and phonology.

Course objectives

In the first part of the course, students

  • gain knowledge about generative syntactic theory

  • learn to apply X-bar theory in the analysis of English phrases and sentences

  • reflect on about argument structure, semantic (theta) roles and Case assignment

  • gain a basic understanding of the theoretical notion of movement

In the second part of the course, students

  • gain familiarity with generative phonological theory

  • learn to analyse phonological phenomena

  • learn about metrical structure and about the relationship between phonology and morphology

  • gain a basic understanding of systemic and realisational differences between British English and American English accents

  • gain a basic understanding of some of the relevant issues in first- and second-language acquisition of English phonetics and phonology.

Timetable

The timetables are available through My Timetable.

Mode of instruction

  • Lecture (1 hour per week)

  • Tutorial (1 hour per week)

Assessment method

Assessment

  • A mid-term (written) exam on syntax

  • A final (written) exam on phonology

Weighing

  • Mid-term exam: 50%; minimum grade required: 5,5

  • Final exam: 50%; minimum grade required: 5,5

The final mark for the course is established by determination of the weighted average combined with additional requirements. To pass the course, a minimum of a 5.5 is required for both the mid-term and the final exam.

Resit

If the mark for either of the exams is below 5.5, the exam will have to be retaken during the resit period.

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

A course programme will be made available through Brightspace before the start of the course.
Poole, Geoffrey (2011) Syntactic Theory. 2nd edition. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Carr, Philip (2019) English Phonetics and Phonology: An Introduction. 3rd edition. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.

Registration

Enrolment through MyStudyMap is mandatory.
General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the website.

Registration Contract teaching and Exchange

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 about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office: Arsenaal

Remarks

Not applicable.