Exploring French Linguistics

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Prepare phonetic transcriptions of French speech using symbols of the International Phonetic Alphabet
• Represent the structure of sentences of French in line with modern syntactic approaches to phrase structure, e.g. applying a specific theory of syntax to prepare 'tree' diagrams.
• access critical material in the target language;

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• critically compare traditional approaches to French grammar with modern linguistic approaches
• appreciate critically key concepts in linguistics;
• present language data and analyses of language data in an academic way.
• engage with concepts from linguistic theory in their application to French;

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• Morphological processes of inflection and derivation that create lexemes and word forms in French
• The main phonological principles that determine key aspects of French pronunciation
• The articulatory properties of French vowels and consonants
• Concepts in syntax that can account for the positions of various elements of the clause in French (e.g. subjects, pronouns, verbs, negation, adverbs)

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• demonstrate your understanding of language in different modes (e.g. concise, focused analyses as well as more extensive discussion or summaries)
• Engage with academic research in linguistics and report key findings.
• demonstrate understanding of elements of theory which can be applied to the study of languages other than English;
• organise and present ideas in a structured, coherent manner.

This module explores various aspects of the French language from the perspective of modern linguistics. It serves to provide an insight into the workings of the French language from sound systems to word structure to sentence structure. The deeper awareness and understanding of the linguistic properties of French and the explanations for them provide new perspectives on many of the aspects of the language that challenge learners, including word order differences from English, the 'myth' of irregular verbs and how spelling can help with pronunciation.

The module covers the following topics:

• The sound system of French: including differences between French and English articulations of vowels and consonants as well as variation and change in French pronunciation.
• French morphology: inflectional morphology (particularly aspects of verbal and adjectival morphology) and derivational morphology.
• French syntax: explaining various aspects of sentence structure, including how syntactic theory can account the specific word order differences that distinguish French and English concerning negation, object pronouns and adverb position.
• French vocabulary: study of the main sources of vocabulary in French, and the main processes by which words and expressions enter the lexicon of French.

Teaching and learning methods

This module encourages you to think more deeply about how French works. It will engage you in analytical thinking about the language you are learning and lead you to reflect on some of the beliefs or assumptions about the language that you might have.

Each week, the lecture will serve to introduce ideas, concepts and theories. The seminar that follows will give you the opportunity to engage with them critically, to consolidate your understanding, and apply your knowledge in analysing French language data. This will usually be in the form of a set of focused tasks and short exercises to be reflected on in advance for discussion in class.

Teaching methods include:

• 1 lecture per week
• 1 seminar per week

Learning activities include:

• Individual reading
• Collaborative work with other students on seminar tasks
• Practical exercises and reflection
• Ad hoc appointments for guidance on the individual project assignment

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

Antes, T. (2007). Analyse Linguistique de la Langue Francaise. Yale: Yale University Press.

Fagyal, Z., Kibbee, D., and Jenkins, F (2006). French: A linguistic introduction. Cambridge: CUP.

Lodge, R., Shelton, J., Ellis, Y., & Armstrong, N (1997). Exploring the French Language. London: Arnold.

Battye, A. & Hintze, A.-M (2000). The French Language Today. London: Routledge.

Auschlin, A. & Moeschler, J. (2009). Introduction à la Linguistique Contemporaine. Paris: Armand Colin. .

Assessment strategy

Formative assessments designed to provide informal, on-module feedback:

• Mid-semester review of progress
• Feedback (in class, in one-to-one meetings, and over email) at various stages of planning the coursework assignments including initial ideas, project title/scope and draft plan

The investigative project assignment will provide an opportunity for you to explore one of the specific areas in more detail, through investigation, collaboration and analysis of both data and theory. It will encourage you to follow your own research paths based on the ideas, concepts and theories introduced in the lectures and seminars.

The end-of-module exam evaluates knowledge and understanding of the concepts covered throughout the module. This includes applying the skills and knowledge developed in analyse the sounds, words and sentence structures to new French language data.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External