Universität Wien
Warning! The directory is not yet complete and will be amended until the beginning of the term.

160128 PS Language Change: Linguistic Perspectives (2026S)

Why there is no escaping language change and what we get from studying it

6.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 16 - Musikwissenschaft und Sprachwissenschaft
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. 40 participants
Language: German

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Monday 09.03. 12:30 - 14:00 Seminarraum 3 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Monday 16.03. 12:30 - 14:00 Seminarraum 3 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Monday 23.03. 12:30 - 14:00 Seminarraum 3 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Monday 13.04. 12:30 - 14:00 Seminarraum 3 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Monday 20.04. 12:30 - 14:00 Seminarraum 3 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Monday 27.04. 12:30 - 14:00 Seminarraum 3 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Monday 04.05. 12:30 - 14:00 Seminarraum 3 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Monday 11.05. 12:30 - 14:00 Seminarraum 3 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Monday 18.05. 12:30 - 14:00 Seminarraum 3 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Monday 01.06. 12:30 - 14:00 Seminarraum 3 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Monday 08.06. 12:30 - 14:00 Seminarraum 3 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Monday 15.06. 12:30 - 14:00 Seminarraum 3 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Monday 22.06. 12:30 - 14:00 Seminarraum 3 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Monday 29.06. 12:30 - 14:00 Seminarraum 3 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Language change as an object of linguistic inquiry is often underrepresented outside the field of Historical Linguistics. This course aims to provide a transdisciplinary introduction to research on language change in its various dimensions. Based on student presentations and subsequent discussions, we will address topics such as theories of language change, first language acquisition, phonological, semantic, and syntactic change, as well as language contact and variation. We will also explore social and individual perceptions of language change, including the persistent notion of “language decay.”

This proseminar is organized as a student-led seminar, allowing thematic emphases to be shaped according to the participants’ interests. The organizing students will propose possible presentation topics, but suggestions from participants are highly encouraged. Students are welcome to contribute ideas in advance—together we will shape the content of the course. Contact: klara.tuerk@univie.ac.at.

Beyond fostering exchange between students from different disciplinary backgrounds, the main objective of the course is to raise awareness of diachronic processes and their relevance across all areas of linguistics.

Assessment and permitted materials

This student-led proseminar thrives on the interests and active engagement of its participants. Accordingly, course content will be conveyed by the students themselves through presentations and the moderation of thematically related discussions. The reading of preparatory texts will be complemented by the prior formulation of questions and discussion points. Attendance and active participation in discussions form part of the continuous assessment. There will be no written exam or term paper.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

30 % Presentation

20 % Moderation of the discussion

30 % Written questions and discussion prompts based on the assigned readings

20 % Attendance and active participation (maximum of two unexcused absences)

All components must be completed. However, a positive overall assessment does not require each individual component to be evaluated positively.

Examination topics

Students will be assessed based on their contributions throughout the semester in accordance with the established assessment criteria. Attendance is compulsory; a maximum of two absences is permitted.

Reading list

The course readings will be determined during the first sessions in conjunction with the allocation of presentation topics and will subsequently be made available via Moodle. Careful reading and preparation of the assigned texts form part of the overall assessment.

Association in the course directory

BA-M12
MA1-M3-5
MA2-M2-4
MA4-WM1.1-2
MA4-WM1.5-2
MA4-WM1.6-1

Last modified: Mo 27.07.2026 09:27