LIN 101: INTRODUCTION TO LINGUISTICS
2012-2013 ACADEMIC SESSION
INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Ọládiípọ̀ ajíbóyè
office: room 512 email: oladiipo@yahoo.com
tel: 070-3009-6142, 080-5174-0201
course objectives (what are we doing here?)
The goal of this course is to provide an introduction to linguistics, understood as the systematic study of natural language. We start with the idea that language is a system of knowledge; in other words, it is a system of cognition. Thus, any attempt to understand language leads us to examine how knowledge of language interacts with other types of knowledge. The course is structured around three central themes:
(i) the external manifestation of linguistic knowledge (E-language): language as a communicative system, the sound-meaning relation, language variation, language change, language classification.
(ii) the internal manifestation of linguistic knowledge (I-language): knowledge of meaning (semantics), knowledge of sentence-formation (syntax), knowledge of word-formation (morphology, morphosyntax, morphophonology), knowledge of sound patterns (phonology).
(iii) the relation between E-language and I-language: the neurological basis of language, the psychological basis of language, first language acquisition, second language acquisition.
meeting times (where & when?)
day/ time
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location
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day/time
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location
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lectures
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Tue 1.00-2.00pm
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RM 406
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Wed: 11-12
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RM 208
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course requirements (how will this happen?)
• attend Monday/Wednesday lectures, Friday tutorials. (If you miss a lecture, advise the instructor by e-mail or phone call.)
• read (from the recommended texts)
(i) William O’Grady & John Archibald 2004. Contemporary Linguistic Analysis
(ii) Adrian Akmajian et. Al.1981. Linguistics: An introduction to Language
(iii) Yusuf, O. (ed.) 2007. Basic Linguistics
(iv) Victoria Fromkin & Robert Rodman.1978. An Introduction to Linguistics
(v) Yusuf, Ore (ed.) Ilorin Text in Linguistics
• complete 3 Exercises (@ 5% each) 15%
• write two exams (Mid-term = 20%; Final = 60%) 80%
• participate in course 5%
syllabus
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ch
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Introduction: knowledge of language
• What do you know when you know a language? |
1
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• You know how to communicate. Communication I: animal communication
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16
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Communication II: communication versus language
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• You know how sound relates to meaning Sound-meaning relation I: segmenting speech stream
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2
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Sound-meaning relation II: sound patterns (guest lecture)
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3
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Sound-meaning relation III: rhythm
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• You know how context affects use. Language Variation
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14
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• You know that language can change over time: Language Change
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7
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Variation as Change, Change as Variation
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• You know that languages differ from one another: Language Typology I
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8
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Language Typology II: aboriginal languages of Canada
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9
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• You know about the form of language:
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Knowledge of meaning (semantics)
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6
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Knowledge of sentence-structure I (syntax)
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5
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Tutorial Exercise 5 (5%): structured meanings
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Knowledge of sentence-structure II (syntax)
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Knowledge of word-formation (morphology)
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4
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• You know something about the mapping between E-language and I-language.
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The psychological basis of language
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12
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Language Acquisition I
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10
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Language Acquisition II
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11
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The neurological basis of language
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13
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Overview: Language as a System of Knowledge
Extra review session for final examination: to be scheduled
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Unilag Academic Regulations
1. Attendance
“Regular attendance is expected of students in all their classes (including lectures, laboratories, tutorials, seminars, etc.). Students who neglect their academic work and assignments may be excluded from final examinations. Students who are unavoidably absent because of illness or disability should report to me on return to classes”
2. Grading Practices
“In most faculties, individual courses are normally graded as follows: A (70-100%); B (60-69%); C 50-59%); D 45-49%; E 40-44; F (fail 0-39%).
3. Academic Honesty
Academic Misconduct that is subject to penalty includes, but is not limited to, the following: (1) plagiarism (e.g. presenting the work of another person as one’s own) […]
(2) cheating (e.g. falsifying any material subject to academic evaluation):
(3) attempting to engage in, or assisting others to engage in, or attempt to engage in academic Misconduct. […] The Disciplinary Measure imposed for plagiarism or cheating is contained in the Examination docket
Course Policies
1. Regular attendance at lectures and tutorials is obligatory, and will count towards the 5% participation component of the course.
2. All exercises are to be handed-in to the Class Representative at the beginning of the class period for which they are due.
3. Late exercises will not be accepted.
Study Groups
The Study Groups have several functions:
1. to serve as a resource group for students to discuss course assignments and prepare for examinations;
(Note: Although students are strongly encouraged to work together, they are expected to write up assignments on an individual basis.)
2. to serve as a discussion group for in-class activities;
3. to serve as a working group for purposes of preparing the poster presentations.
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COURSE OBJECTIVES (WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE?)
The goal of this course is to provide an introduction to linguistics, understood as the systematic study of natural language.
We start with the idea that language is a system of knowledge; in other words, it is a system of cognition. Thus, any attempt to understand language leads us to examine how knowledge of language interacts with other types of knowledge.
The course is structured around three central themes:
(i) the external manifestation of linguistic knowledge (E-language): language as a communicative system, the sound-meaning relation, language variation, language change, language classification.
(ii) the internal manifestation of linguistic knowledge (I-language): knowledge of meaning (semantics), knowledge of sentence-formation (syntax), knowledge of word-formation (morphology, morphosyntax, morphophonology), knowledge of sound patterns (phonology).
(iii) the relation between E-language and I-language: the neurological basis of language, the psychological basis of language, first language acquisition, second language acquisition.
Linguistics:
The Scientific Study of Language
What is the function of language?
• A system of communication
• A tool for thought
• A medium of self-expression
• A social institution
• A source of cultural identity
• A source of political identity
