Languages of the World
Syllabus, Bachelor's level, 5LN133
- Code
- 5LN133
- Education cycle
- First cycle
- Main field(s) of study and in-depth level
- General Linguistics G1N
- Grading system
- Fail (U), Pass (G), Pass with distinction (VG)
- Finalised by
- The Department Board, 21 August 2014
- Responsible department
- Department of Linguistics and Philology
General provisions
The course is given within the Bachelor's Programme in languages, Linguistics A and as an independent course.
Entry requirements
Linguistics I, 7.5 credits, or the equivalent or The Structure of Bantu Languages with focus on East Africa.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this course, to be given the grade Pass, the student should at least be able to:
- explain the term language typology,
- account for the differences between, and the purposes of, the following three ways of classifying languages linguistically: genetic classification, typological classification and area classification,
- describe and problematise the concepts linguistic equivalent and linguistic universal,
- understand gloss and be able to interpret glossed examples of languages and understand common abbreviations,
- account for "the demography of the languages" at a general level in the world and the difference between language diversity ("many languages") and language family diversity ("many language families"),
- account for various types of typological classification systems in linguistics including morphological typology word order typology,
- describe the concept of sprachbund and account for some well-known examples of sprachbunds (The Balkans, South Asia),
- account for the terms marked and unmarked and different marking strategies in the languages of the world,
- account for the differences between nominative-accusative, ergative-absolutive and split ("split ergativity") case marking systems.
Content
The course should give an introduction to what unites and separates the languages of the world. The focus of the course lies on common and distinguishing features of the languages of the world as it applies to vocabulary, grammar and sound structure. Issues concerning language and culture, multilingualism and language planning will also be covered, illustrated through the description and analysis of concrete language situations in different parts of the world.
Instruction
Instruction consists of lectures, workshops and assessment. The student's own learning activities are crucial for the completion of the course.
Assessment
The course is assessed through oral and/or written assignments and/or a final exam. The teacher can as part of the examination require compulsory attendance and active participation. The course requirements are announced in writing at the start of the course by the convenor of the course.
Other directives
The courses An Introduction to Linguistics, The Languages of the World, Languages, computers and text processing and Language, individual and society together correspond to Linguistics A, and may not be included in a higher education qualification together with Linguistics A. The four said courses together constitute the entry requirements for Linguistics B.
Reading list
- Reading list valid from Autumn 2024
- Reading list valid from Autumn 2023
- Reading list valid from Autumn 2021
- Reading list valid from Spring 2021
- Reading list valid from Autumn 2020
- Reading list valid from Spring 2020, version 2
- Reading list valid from Spring 2020, version 1
- Reading list valid from Spring 2019
- Reading list valid from Autumn 2017
- Reading list valid from Autumn 2015
- Reading list valid from Spring 2015
- Reading list valid from Autumn 2013
- Reading list valid from Spring 2012
- Reading list valid from Spring 2010
- Reading list valid from Autumn 2007
- Reading list valid from Spring 2005