In this course we will focus on three general questions concerning linguistic change: (1) What type of changes occur? (2) What are the causes of linguistic change? (3) How can our knowledge of linguistic change be used to reconstruct earlier stages of a language, in particular those stages for which no written records are available? Using the course book and a number of articles as background, we will try to determine and evaluate some of the answers that have been given to these questions. In doing so, we will consider various examples of linguistic change from English as well as from a variety of other languages.
Timetable
The timetable will be available from June 1st on the Internet.
Method of Instruction
Two-hour seminar per week.
A la carte and contract teaching
Not available as modular course or a la carte.
Course objectives
Students gain an insight into the different types of linguistic changes that occur in languages (in particular English), both from a general (course book) perspective and through articles that expand on specific points raised in the course book.
Required reading
*Campbell, Lyle (2004). Historical Linguistics: an Introduction (2nd edn.). Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Examination
2 essays (40%), written exam (60%)
Information
English Department, P.N. van Eyckhof 4, room 102c. Tel. 071-5272144. English@hum.leidenuniv.nl
Blackboard/webpage
No blackboard available.
Overview
To be announced.