Admission requirements
You need to have passed Linguistics 3A. It is strongly recommended to have passed Linguistics 2B.
Description
Sentences and phrases in English can be shortened in many ways, and such shortening (also called omission or ellipsis) has to comply with specific rules. In this course we research what can be omitted in standard English. To understand the grammar of omission, we identify the types of omissions and the syntactic and discourse conditions under which words and phrases can be omitted. In the second part of the course, we also look at more drastically abbreviated registers such as diaries, newspaper headlines, as well as SMS/WhatsApp messages, in which many elements can be omitted — articles, subjects and objects and even verbs — that normally cannot be omitted in the standard register. We will try to understand why abbreviated registers allow all these elements to be missing.
As part of this course, we brush up and expand on our knowledge of morphology and syntax (Ling 1B, Ling 2B, Ling3A and Ling 4A).
Course objectives
become acquainted with basic grammatical theories of omission
learn to identify the types of omitted material and their properties by reading research papers
learn to apply knowledge to new linguistic data from English and possibly other languages
engage in independent research
present a research paper to the class
present your own research to the class
Timetable
The timetables are available through My Timetable.
Mode of instruction
Seminar
Research
Assessment method
Assessment
Participation, classroom discussions (20%)
Presentation (30%)
Final (written) research essay (70%)
Attendance is compulsory. Missing more than two tutorials means that students will be excluded from the tutorials. Unauthorized absence also applies to being unprepared, not participating and/or not bringing the relevant course materials to class.
Weighing
Participation, classroom discussions (20%)
Presentation (30%)
Final (written) research essay (70%)
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
If the final grade is lower than 5.5, students may resit the final essay. There is no resit for the presentations.
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 be organized.
Reading list
Articles and book chapters to be provided in the beginning of the course.
Registration
Enrolment through MyStudyMap is mandatory.
General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the website.
Registration À la carte education, 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.
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.