Prospectus

nl en

Linguistics: Historical English Phonology

Course
2010-2011

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 tutors 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 from July 1 onwards on the Department website.

Mode of Instruction

Two-hour seminar per week.

Assessment

  • Essay (50%)

  • Written examination (50%)

Blackboard

This course is supported by Blackboard.

Reading list

Articles.

Registration

Students can register through uSis.

Register for Contractonderwijs

Contact information

English Department, P.N. van Eyckhof 4, room 103c. Phone: 071 527 2144, or mail: english@hum.leidenuniv.nl

Remarks