Course handbook
Description
This unit completes students' introduction to the study of language. It takes the languages of Australia and neighbouring areas as a database, and uses this database to illustrate the more advanced fundamental principles of structural analysis in language. The course examines typological variation and diachronic variation. It introduces the study of syntax, semantics, pragmatics, and neurolinguistics, as based on the fundamental principles of structural analysis.
Availability2021 Course Timetables
Callaghan
- Semester 2 - 2021
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the course students will be able to:
1. Apply basic principles of historical reconstruction.
2. Analyse language data in terms of phrase structure and argument structure.
3. Apply basic principles of typological classification.
4. Identify and classify semantic and pragmatic relations.
5. Describe the main areas of the brain associated with language.
Content
Topics to be covered in this course include:
- Languages of Australia and neighbouring regions.
- Historical and typological classification of languages.
- Principles of language change.
- Grammatical Relations, argument structure, and syntactic alignment
- Word-level semantics, clausal semantics, presupposition, entailment.
- Pragmatics of language in use - speech acts, conversational implicature.
- Language in the brain.
Requisite
This course replaces LING1120. If you have successfully completed LING1120 you cannot enrol in this course.
Assumed knowledge
LING1111
Assessment items
Written Assignment: Take Home Assignments (3 assignments @ 20% each - total 60%)
Formal Examination: Formal Examination - closed book examination (40%)
Contact hours
Callaghan
Lecture
Face to Face On Campus 2 hour(s) per Week for 12 Weeks starting in week 1
Tutorial
Face to Face On Campus 1 hour(s) per Week for 11 Weeks starting in week 2
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.