Elements of Linguistics - Sound, Structure and Meaning

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• isolate and recognise sounds in language;
• transcribe English and other European languages using the IPA;
• account for and analyse extracts of language in terms of their contribution to meaning and understanding in the social context.
• show how syntactic modules are formed, working with examples from different languages;

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• reflect on the usefulness of linguistics for the study of a foreign language.
• engage with theory and practice in linguistics;
• appreciate critically certain key notions and concepts;

Knowledge and Understanding

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

• how sound, structure and meaning work in language;
• key tools used in linguistics such as the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA);
• systematic approaches required in linguistic study.

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• demonstrate understanding of elements of theory;
• work effectively in different modes: carrying out tasks, presenting findings, collaborating with partners and exchanging ideas in seminars;
• convey ideas in a structured, coherent manner.

There are many ways of viewing language. It could be viewed as a communication system or a means of social interaction. It could be viewed as sounds. It could be viewed as a list of words and associated meanings. It could be seen as a set of rules or principles for combining words into sentences. In fact, linguists regard all of these as important aspects of language, and they are all studied in the various branches of Linguistics. This courses concentrates on sound, structure and meaning in the branches known as phonetics and phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics and pragmatics. Particular attention will be given to providing you with the tools necessary for the analysis of language, from its sounds, to its words, its sentences, discourse features and beyond, with reference both to English and to the principal Western European languages. Many of these topics can then be studied further in years 2 or 4 (e.g. syntax, phonology, morphology, discourse analysis etc.).

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching methods include

• 1 lecture and 1 seminar per week.

Learning activities include

• A series of specific assignments to be carried out (e.g. an investigative transcription for phonetics).

Resources & Reading list

General Resources

Phonetics. For Phonetics, our in-house interactive Introduction to Phonetics for students of English, French, German and Spanish by R. Ball is available at the following address: http://www.lang.ltsn.ac.uk/resources/materialsbank.aspx?resourceid=296

Textbooks

V. FROMKIN Victoria (2003). An Introduction to Language. Boston, Massachusetts: Heinle-Thomson.

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 Information

Repeat type: Internal & External