120125 VO Introduction to the Study of Language 2 (2009S)

This lecture forms the second part of a one-year introductory programme that aims at providing first-year students of English with an overview of the major areas of linguistic knowledge and will complement the topics discussed in the course Introduction to the study of language 1. After giving an overview of the scope of linguistics, we will analyse the internal architecture of words (morphology). We will then investigate the meanings of words and sentences (semantics) and consider different approaches to grammar, studying how words combine to form phrases and sentences (syntax). Furthermore, the course will address how language is acquired in a first and second language context.