LET-ETCENB215
Language Change
Course infoSchedule
Course moduleLET-ETCENB215
Credits (ECTS)5
Category-
Language of instructionEnglish
Offered byRadboud University; Faculty of Arts; English Language and Culture;
Lecturer(s)
Coordinator
drs. M.J. Tangelder
Other course modules lecturer
Lecturer
drs. M.J. Tangelder
Other course modules lecturer
Contactperson for the course
drs. M.J. Tangelder
Other course modules lecturer
Examiner
drs. M.J. Tangelder
Other course modules lecturer
Academic year2021
Period
PER 3-PER 4  (31/01/2022 to 30/08/2022)
Starting block
PER 3
Course mode
full-time
RemarksAanschuifonderwijs
Registration using OSIRISYes
Course open to students from other facultiesYes
Pre-registrationNo
Waiting listNo
Placement procedure-
Aims
After this course, the student
  1. Can sketch the evolution of the 7,000+ languages that are spoken today by a) by demonstrating a broad understanding of the origins of language, b) by differentiating several language classification methods, c. by tracing the genealogy of languages by means of the Comparative Method
  2. Can demonstrate familiarity with the basic principles and processes of language change, i.e. sound change, grammaticalization, borrowing, etc. by analysing a given dataset and interpreting it according to these basic principles and processes
  3. Is able to explain the role of first language acquisition and second language acquisition in language change
  4. Is able to place linguistic variation and change in a sociolinguistic context
  5. Is able to identify key concepts and ideas from an academic paper and present them in an oral presentation
  6. Is able to critically reflect on and assess academic papers on language variation and change by formulating relevant discussion questions
  7. Is able to accurately analyse an independently chosen instance of language change, integrating various academic sources on the topic
Content
This course will study the principles and processes of language change both on a practical and theoretical level. The focus of the first part of the course will be on the history of language itself and the way in which languages can change. The course will offer insight in how to explain similarity and differences between languages by means of language classification and we will explore the importance of the Comparative Method in determining the shape and form of earlier language stages. Through a combination of theory, case studies and hands-on assignments, we will gain insight in the key concepts of language change, such as grammaticalization and borrowing. The second part of the course will focus on the factors that drive linguistic change. We will explore the role of first language acquisition, second language acquisition and sociolinguistic variation, by reading secondary literature and presentations of relevant case studies. The course ends with a paper on an individually determined topic.
Level

Presumed foreknowledge

Test information

Specifics

Required materials
Book
Title:Historical Linguistics: an introduction, third edition 2013
Author:Campbell, L.
Publisher:Cambridge (MAss.) MIT press, 2004
Edition:3

Recommended materials
Syllabus
Title:Syllabus provided by the instructors.

Instructional modes
Lecture
Attendance MandatoryYes

Seminar

Tests
Assignment
Test weight40
Test typeProject
OpportunitiesBlock PER 3, Block PER 4

Minimum grade
5,5

Presentation
Test weight0
Test typeOral exam
OpportunitiesBlock PER 4

Minimum grade
Voldoende

Paper
Test weight60
Test typeProject
OpportunitiesBlock PER 4, Block PER 4

Minimum grade
5,5