Universität Wien

122227 SE Linguistics Seminar / MA historical & descriptive linguistics (2015S)

11.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 12 - Anglistik
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 20 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

Monday 09.03. 09:00 - 11:00 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
Monday 16.03. 09:00 - 11:00 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
Monday 23.03. 09:00 - 11:00 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
Monday 13.04. 09:00 - 11:00 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
Monday 20.04. 09:00 - 11:00 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
Monday 27.04. 09:00 - 11:00 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
Monday 04.05. 09:00 - 11:00 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
Monday 11.05. 09:00 - 11:00 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
Monday 18.05. 09:00 - 11:00 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
Monday 01.06. 09:00 - 11:00 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
Monday 08.06. 09:00 - 11:00 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
Monday 15.06. 09:00 - 11:00 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
Monday 22.06. 09:00 - 11:00 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
Monday 29.06. 09:00 - 11:00 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

In this seminar we shall explore the possibility of explaining linguistic change, and challenge Saussure's view that it is essentially inexplicable. Discussing proposals made in generative, functional and cognitive approaches to language, as well as in socio-linguistic research, we shall address questions such as: What role does language acquisition play in linguistic change? What role is played by linguistic contact? To what extent does language change reflect users' attitudes towards different varieties and their social prestige? What roles do media of communication play in conserving or changing linguistic norms? Does language change make languages better? In what sense? Does language change reflect speakers' (changing) needs, or do languages evolve independently of their users goals? Are some types of language change more probable than others, and if so why?

Assessment and permitted materials

Assessment will take the following aspects into account:
Classroom participation, bibliographical work, project design, reports on project work, oral presentations at the seminar conference, and a written seminar paper.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

In theoretical terms, the objective of this course is to develop critical awareness of what it means to explain complex phenomena such as languages and the ways in which they evolve and change. The course is intended to provide stimuli for developing skills at identifying patterns and correlations and distinguishing between possibly causal and spurious ones. Since individual research projects will be focussed on clearly delineated sets of phenomena, the seminar also intends to give participants the opportunity to practice and to refine their skills in linguistic analysis at different levels of description.

Examination topics

Classroom introduction to theories of language change, discussion of seminal texts, guided definition of research topics, and search for appropriate literature, oral presentation of research projects and critical discussion, guided production of written papers.

Reading list

Lass, Roger. 1980. On explaining language change. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Further reading will be provided at the beginning of the course.

Association in the course directory

Studium: MA 812; BA 612; UF 344
Code/Modul: MA4; BA06.2; UF 222
Lehrinhalt: 12-0369

Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:33