Exploring Spanish Linguistics

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

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

• Key theoretical constructs in current linguistic theory
• The main characteristics of formal Spanish linguistics
• The main characteristics of formal Spanish linguistics

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Show that you have developed your critical and linguistic skills by preparing and analysing three short written assignments
• Work effectively in different modes: presenting findings orally, collaborating with partners, exchanging ideas in seminars and carrying out short written assignments based on real linguistic data
• Demonstrate understanding of elements of theory and how they can be applied to study particular languages
• Apply the linguistic skills acquired in this module in your own language learning
• Make connections between the structure of Spanish and relevant issues in contemporary Hispanic linguistics such as language variation, language acquisition and bilingualism

Cognitive Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Understand and analyse key structures in Spanish and how they compare to other languages you know
• Evaluate linguistic tools for data analysis
• Demonstrate knowledge in common linguistic theory and practice

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Isolate and recognise sounds in Spanish
• Provide a syntactic analysis of any structure in Spanish

The module introduces you to relevant issues of contemporary Spanish linguistics and establishes the basis for future application of linguistic principles. Building on general linguistic knowledge gained in LING 1001 this module covers areas of the sound system of Spanish and its theoretical basis; Spanish morphology, such as verbal morphology and word formation; relevant issues of Spanish syntax, such as word order variation, subject positions and clitic pronouns. In the last part of the module, the effects of the contact of languages on the structure of Spanish will be introduced. Connections between Spanish and English and Portuguese will be drawn when appropriate

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching methods include

• 1 lecture
• 1 seminar per week

The lectures serve to introduce, analyse and investigate key aspects of Spanish linguistics (e.g. phonology, morphology, syntax, and structural properties of language change in the Spanish-speaking world) whereas the seminars provide you with preliminary general guidance to apply that knowledge to the analysis of real Spanish data in the form of exercises.

Learning activities include

• A specific short assignment to be carried out (i.e. phonetic transcription and analysis.) which will be assessed.
• An oral presentation of a relevant topic of Spanish linguistics of your choice, which will be assessed.

Resources & Reading list

General Resources

Module site on Blackboard. Reserve collection of readings in the library.

Textbooks

Zagona, Karen (2002). The Syntax of Spanish. Cambridge University Press.

Hualde, José Ignacio, Antxon Olarrea and Anna María Escobar (2001). Introducción a la lingüística hispánica. Cambridge University Press.

Azevedo, Milton (2005). Introducción a la lingüística española. Prentice Hall.

Teschner, Richard (1999). Camino oral: Fonética, fonología y práctica de los sonidos del español. McGraw- Hill.

Teschner, Richard and Castro-Paniagua, Francisco (1993). Lo esencial de la lingüística española. New York: McGraw-Hill, Inc..

Fromkin, Victoria, Rodman, Robert, and Hyamsn, Nina (2006). An Introduction to Language. Thomson Wadsworth.

Assessment strategy

The formal assessment tasks provide evidence of your ability to think critically about the structures learnt and the methods used to investigate each of the studied linguistic areas of Spanish. One short written assignment task will help consolidate both your knowledge and analytical skills as you are asked to interpret and analyse phonetics data using the linguistic tools introduced in this module. In an oral presentation of a relevant aspect of Spanish linguistics, you have the opportunity to independently explore a particular topic, allowing you to both gain a more in-depth knowledge of that area and share your findings with the rest of the class. A final examination, verifies that you have understood certain notions and concepts which are fundamental for this module.

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