Modul II
Introduction to Linguistics
This course is designed to provide an introduction to the study of language. Starting with general definitions and properties of language, we will then look at basic issues in the field of linguistics. The primary concern will be with the different levels of linguistics, i.e. phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics and pragmatics. Matters to be discussed include some of the major areas of linguistics, e.g. sociolinguistics, varieties of English, language change and language acquisition.
Students are expected to participate regularly and actively in the course. These are two prerequisites for taking the final exam.
The Reader (Introduction to Linguistics) is available at Reckhammerweg 4.
- Group 1: Ingo Bachmann, Monday 16-18, Room R11 T06 C84
- Group 2: Ingo Bachmann, Thursday 10-12, Room V15 R01 H61
- Group 3: Melanie Borchers, Wednesday, 8-10, Room V15 R01 H61
- Group 7: Kathrin Luckmann, Friday, 12-14, Room R11 T06 C84
Final exam: 08.02.2011
Re-sit: 08.03.2011
Modul IV
Linguistics Meets Literature: Doing Stylistics
Ingo Bachmann, Tuesday 8-10, V15 R01 H61, Linguistics
Too often literature and linguistics are studied as two separate disciplines. This seminar sets out to show you how a focus on language can be quite useful for interpreting (and understanding) texts. We will explore several methods (and theories) of stylistics, such as tense and aspect, transitivity, metaphor or turn taking. I hope that we also have enough time for doing practical work, applying the methods we have learned to novels, plays or songs.
Be prepared to read a lot!
If you have registered for this course, a reading list (or information about a reader) will be sent to you via e-mail.
English Morphology (lecture)
Claudia Claridge, Wednesday 10-12, S05 T00 B32, Linguistics
This lecture will give an overview of the inflectional and derivational morphology of English. We will begin by looking at the modern inventory of inflexions, their categorial status within the language system and their historical development. In this context we will also be dealing with the classification of English within language typology. We will then investigate the possibilities of creating new words, from major patterns, such as compounding, derivation and conversion, via minor ones, such as blends, backformations, and acronyms to creative nonce-formations as found, for example, in advertising. The role of morphology in language change will also be treated, including concepts like lexicalization and productivity.
Language and Identity
Kathrin Luckmann, Monday 14-16, R11 T06 C84, Cultural Studies
The main questions we are going to discuss in this seminar are: what makes us who we are? And, what does the way we communicate tell about us? Many different factors are involved in constituting social identity, for example our age, where we live and grew up, whether we are male or female, what religion and ethnicity we belong to and many more. These aspects also shape the language we use, and at the same time, with every role we have there is a certain way to speak. The vocabulary we use at work for instance differs from the choice of words we use when we talk to our parents or to our friends and so on.
We will look at these factors and how influential they are but initially also learn about the theories behind social and cultural identity. Finally, we will examine selected ‘problem cases' or muddles in this area. Do multilingual people have multiple identities? Is there such a thing as an L2 identity? ...
Modul VI
Politeness and Impoliteness
Claudia Claridge, Thursday 8-10, Room R11 T04 C94, Linguistics
Every society has its own politeness rules, which are realised by partly conventional linguistic forms. In this seminar we will look at how such rule systems and their realisations can be theoretically described in different ways. We will pay attention to models developed from different viewpoints, such as European vs Asian. We will look at realisations of (im)politeness within monolingual situations, in cross-cultural contexts and in contexts from different times (English speakers in the past were much less 'polite' than modern ones).
Language and Identity
Kathrin Luckmann, Thursday 10-12, R11 T06 C84, Linguistics & Cultural Studies
The main questions we are going to discuss in this seminar are: what makes us who we are? And, what does the way we communicate tell about us? Many different factors are involved in constituting social identity, for example our age, where we live and grew up, whether we are male or female, what religion and ethnicity we belong to and many more. These aspects also shape the language we use, and at the same time, with every role we have there is a certain way to speak. The vocabulary we use at work for instance differs from the choice of words we use when we talk to our parents or to our friends and so on.
We will look at these factors and how influential they are but initially also learn about the theories behind social and cultural identity. Finally, we will examine selected ‘problem cases' or muddles in this area. Do multilingual people have multiple identities? Is there such a thing as an L2 identity? ...
Modul VIII
Language Contact in the History of the English Language
Melanie Borchers, Tueday 8-10, V15 R01 H61, Linguistics & Cultural Studies
Throughout its history English has been in contact with other languages. Not only were parts of Great Britain invaded several times, native speakers also set out on encounters with other nations and their languages. The Scandinavian invasion just like the Norman Conquest hundreds of years later for example have left their imprints on various linguistic levels within the English language, features that are still recognisable nowadays.
The aim of this course is twofold. Fist, the theory of different language contact models will be investigated and highlighted by a prototypical contact situation. In a second step we will focus on language data and analyse the respective influence on the development of (a variety of) English.
Chaucer's English
Claudia Claridge, Thursday 10-12, R11 T04 C94, Linguistics & Cultural Studies
This seminar will use Geoffrey Chaucer's writing as an accessible example of southern late Middle English (14th century). Besides looking at Chaucer's grammar, we will also see how cultural influences (from Old Norse, but especially from French and Latin) have left their traces not only in the content of the texts, but also in the (vocabulary of the) language. The dialogue Chaucer used in many passages can give us an insight into interpersonal uses of Middle English (e.g. rudeness). Of course, we will also pay attention to specific literary linguistic uses, such as word play, rhetorical devices and parody. We will be looking at various excerpts from different texts and genres, e.g. the prologue and tales of the Canterbury Tales, the ‘love poem' Parlement of Foules and the scientific / educational Treatise of the Astrolabe (written for his young son).
The texts to be used are found in: The Riverside Chaucer, ed. Larry D. Benson et al. (Oxford 1988) [paperback].
Language Change in Modern English
Claudia Claridge, Tuesday 10-12, R11 T07 C85, Linguistics
This seminar will be concerned with ongoing language change in present-day English as well as with the methodology and the theoretical approaches for researching them. For that purpose we will look at various case studies which deal with such changes by using different methods. Topics include changing Canadian dialects along the US border, lexical/morphological innovations (e.g. cyberfootprints), the quotative marker like, the survival of the subjunctive, stylistic colloquialisation tendencies in modern writing and New Zealand intonation etc. As an overarching perspective we will also pay attention to how these changes fit in with the long-term trends apparent in English linguistic history.
Gender Roles in Film
Patricia Sift, Tuesday 16-18, SM 102 (Schützenbahn), Cultural Studies
In this course, we will be discussing the portrayal of men and women in a range of film material. This will include both their stereotypes (e.g. the macho man or career woman) and also realistic character compositions.
Using Language and Gender literature as a theoretical launch pad, we will be analysing the changes in the portrayal of gender over time and how these changes have corresponded to evolving social roles
Modul X
Language Change in Modern English
Claudia Claridge, Tuesday 10-12, R11 T07 C85, Linguistics
Desciption cf. above
Modul XIX
Language Change in Modern English
Claudia Claridge, Tuesday 10-12, R11 T07 C85, Linguistics
Desciption cf. above
Modulübergreifend
Examenskolloquium Linguistics
Claudia Claridge, Monday 16-18, Room R12 R05 A84
This class is intended for all students (LA or MA) close to their final exams. The contents and structure of the Kolloquium will depend largely on what participants want and need, which will be determined in the first session. Among the areas we can cover are essay writing techniques and strategies for the oral exam, reviewing basic concepts and areas of linguistics as well as discussing specialized topics of the participants. Students will have the opportunity to present their exam topics if they wish.
No registration necessary - just come to the first session!