ALM4110

General linguistics

Mark Newbrook and Joanne Winter

12 points
* 3 hours per week
* First semester
* Clayton

Objectives The objective of this subject is to provide an introduction to `core'/general linguistics. The subject provides the factual, conceptual and theoretical background, and the basic analytical skills, for the other three part I subjects and the more specialised part two subjects. It covers phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics and historical linguistics, and also foreshadows some of the main areas of `hyphenated linguistics' which are to be covered in later subjects. The concepts are exemplified from English and/or from other languages, as appropriate. The assessment trains students in problem solving and application of the concepts. Students are encouraged to contribute ideas and insights from other disciplines in which they themselves may already be proficient.

Synopsis This subject provides an introduction to the basic concepts of language and procedures in linguistic analysis. The subject covers the representation of sound in language (phonetics); the organisation of sounds in languages (phonology); the structure of words (morphology); the organisation of words in sentences (syntax); meaning (semantics); language change (historical linguistics); the function of language in use (pragmatics) and the social context for language use (sociolinguistics). The main objectives of this subject are to familiarise students with the fundamental tools of analysis which are essential for the linguistic applications discussed in other subjects of the MA in applied linguistics. The three-hour session involves discussion of the basic principles, procedures and language, problem-solving practice. The assessment components largely involve problem solving and the application of the concepts outlined in the subject.

Assessment Two take-home assignments (1500 words each): 40%
* Take-home test: 50%
* Seminar participation: 10%

Preliminary reading

Hudson R Invitation to linguistics Martin Robertson, 1984

Prescribed texts

Finegan E and others Language: Its structure and use 2nd edn Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1997