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, 24 January 2020
- Responsible department
- Department of Linguistics and Philology
General provisions
The course may be given as an independent course, as a module within Linguistics A, and within semester 1 of the BA in Languages. It can also be taken within the BA in Language Technology and the MA in Language Techonology.
Entry requirements
Linguistics I, 7.5 credits, or The Structure of Bantu Languages with Focus on East Africa, 7.5 credits
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,
- understand gloss and be able to interpret glossed examples of languages and understand common abbreviations,
- account for the differences between, and the purposes of, the following three ways of classifying languages linguistically: genetic classification, typological classification and area classification,
- 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"),
- describe and problematise the concepts linguistic equivalent and linguistic universal,
- account for various types of typological classification systems in linguistics including morphological typology word order typology,
- account for the differences between nominative-accusative, ergative-absolutive and split ("split ergativity") case marking systems
- at a general level, account for occurence of written language and various structural principles of witing 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 has three moments of examination:
1. continuous written tests;
2. oral presentation of group work;
3. written exam.
For the grade Pass (G), Pass is required in all moments. For the grade Pass with distinction (VG), Pass is required in moment 1 and 2, as well as Pass with distinction in moment 3.
If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator.
Other directives
The course may not be included in a degree if equivalent parts have been studied within another course included in the degree.
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