Prospectus

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Core: Approaches to Diversity

Course
2010-2011

Admission requirements

Description

Specialists from different traditions discuss and demonstrate four research traditions in the study of linguistic diversity, including the background and the role of this tradition in the history of linguistics:

Universals and diversity: How do researchers who start from the assumption that there are structural and other specifically linguistic universals accommodate the observed variation among languages?
Description and analysis: How do researchers who aim to describe a language in its own terms develop analytic concepts and methods that are applicable cross-linguistically?
Processes of change: How do researchers reconcile long term general trends in language change (e.g. ‘sound laws’) with the fact that short term developments are seemingly random?

Cognition and use: How do researchers who start from the assumption that general cognitive and communicative capacities and processes underlie knowledge and use of language accomodate the observed variation among languages?

Course objectives

to be added

Timetable

Monday 15-17, in Lipsius, room 307 and Friday 9-11, in Huizinga, room 025.

Timetable

Mode of instruction

Seminar

Assessment method

Homework assignments.

Blackboard

Yes.

Reading list

Will be announced on website

Registration

Exchange and Study Abroad students, please see the Study in Leiden website for information on how to apply

Contact information

Programme coordinator and student advisor

Remarks