Admission requirement
Propedeuse BA Linguistics or equivalent
Description
Language typology charts the similarities and differences across languages around the world by comparing their formal features, irrespective of historica land geographical factors. How much do languages differ from each other? And to what extent do they adhere to general principles, despite these differences?
During this course, we will study a number of structural similarities and differences between languages, with a focus on (morpho)syntactic patterns recurring in the languages of the world. Which features coincide? Why are some patterns much more common than others? We will explore the basics of typological research, including how to create a representative sample of languages, and we look at the applications of linguistic typology. In addition, we will discuss how typological knowledge informs linguistic fieldwork on an undescribed language.
Course objectives
At the end of this course, students will have:
An understanding of the ways in which languages are similar (linguistic universals) and different (linguistic diversity)
Knowledge of fundamental notions and methods regarding language typology (e.g. sampling, implicational hierarchies, and universals)
Basic skills needed to apply typological principles on primary data (gathered in fieldwork for example)
Timetable
Mode of instruction
Combination of lecture and tutorial
Course Load
The coarse load is 140 hours:
26 hours for lecture attendance
50 hours for study of compulsory literature and class preparation assignments
64 hours for the assignments, the preparation of a poster presentation and the final assignment
Assessment method
Assesment will be done on the basis of three assignments, a poster presentation and the writing of a final paper. The poster presentation and the paper need to be graded as sufficient to pass the course.
Weighing
Assignments (30%)
Presentation (20%)
Paper (50%)
Resit
In case of an insufficient final grade, students can take a resit for the final paper.
Exam review
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.
Blackboard
Blackboard will be used for:
general announcements
access to PowerPoint lectures
assignments
if applicable, supplementary readings – within the boundaries of copyright
Reading list
T.b.a.
Registration
Enrolment through uSis is mandatory.
General information about uSis is available on this website
Contact
For questions about the content of the course, you can contact the teacher Ms. V. Nyst
Education Administration Office van Wijkplaats
E-mail address Education Administration Office van Wijkplaats: osz-oa-wijkplaats@hum.leidenuniv.nl