LIN2090 - Syntax: Grammatical Structure, Typology and Universals

Leader: Anna Margetts

Offered

Not offered in 2008

Synopsis

This unit will cover the basic tools necessary for the study of syntax and will specifically focus on the linguistic analysis of the sentence in different languages. This study will be approached through the comparison of different systems of case marking, agreement, use of clitic pronouns, word order, topic-comment structure and other mechanisms that reveal the structure of the clause. Attention will be given to understanding basic concepts such as verb, transitive verb, passive subject and direct object and tense/aspect.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this unit students will:

1. Be able to demonstrate familiarity with the basic units of analysis as exemplified in a variety of different languages.

2. Be familiar with different theoretical approaches to the analysis of sentence structure and the relevant terminology.

3. Be able to read and understand grammatical descriptions of languages and discussions of grammatical phenomena in the linguistic literature.

4. Be able to analyse data from languages which they know, and from those with which they are unfamiliar.

Assessment

Assignment 1: (ca. 1,200 words) 25%; Assignment 2: (ca. 1,200 words) 25%; Group presentation: (equiv. of 500 words): 10%; Final exam: (equiv. of 1500-1700 words) 40%

Contact hours

2 hours (1 x 2 hour seminar) per week

Prerequisites

A first-year sequence in Linguistics