Contrastive linguistics

Code
570505
Credits
5cr

Goals

This course focuses on the connection between linguistic description, typological variation, and formal linguistics by addressing a number of specific language phenomena through the traditional grammar modules and their interfaces. One of the main goals of formal linguistics is to try to model the spectrum of variation documented in natural languages, which is neither unlimited nor random. In order to achieve this goal it is necessary to arrive at accurate descriptions of individual languages that allow us to compare them with different properties from other languages. Linguistic typology, the study of linguistic universals or parametric approaches from the perspective of universal grammar, addresses this topic with different theoretical and analytical tools that we will attempt to understand through a review of several case studies with a strong crosslinguistic component.

  • Get acquainted with models of formal analysis of language, focusing on morphosyntactic and semantic topics.
  • Examine a number of topics that have been and are central to linguistic theorizing.
  • Learn linguistic argumentation.
  • Learn how to present linguistic research.

 

Course plan

Each unit will focus on a given subject. The first part of the sessions will be devoted to a general presentation of the empirical and theoretical aspects of the topic under study, and the second part will consist of student presentations on a specific piece of work related to the topic of the week and a group discussion on the bibliography papers (specific readings will be recommended).

 

Assessment

The final grade will be based on the following. First, 30% of the grade will be based on continuous assessment of class participation and assignments, plus a class presentation of an article related to the issues under discussion. The remaining 70% of the grade will be based on a final exam that students will take home at the end of the quarter, for a period of 7 days.

Reassessment for those not reaching a final grade of 5 in the standard assessment period will imply resitting the take-home exam.

Only students who obtain a minimum grade of 3 (or between 3 and 4.9) can repeat assessment. The final grade for reassessment can only be 5.

 

Examination-based assessment

Under exceptional and justified circumstances a single examination (100% of the grade) can be scheduled. 

Only students who obtain a minimum grade of 3 (or between 3 and 4.9) can repeat assessment. The final grade can only be 5.

 

Bibliography

Cheng, L.-L- & N. Corver. 2013. Diagnosing Syntax. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Cinque, Guglielmo & Richard S. Kayne. 2005. The Oxford Handbook of Comparative Syntax. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 

Dikken, Marcel den. 2013. The Cambridge Handbook of Generative Syntax. Cambridsge: Cambridge University Press.

Freidin, Robert. 2012. Syntax. Basic concepts and applications. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 

Haspelmath, Martin / König, Ekkehard / Oesterreicher, Wulf / Raible, Wolfgang (eds.). 2001. Language Typology and Language Universals. An International Handbook. 2 vols. Berlin / New York: Walter de Gruyter.

Mairal, Ricardo & Juana Gil (eds.). 2006. Linguistic universals. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Snyder, William (2007). Child Language. The Parametric Approach. Oxford: Oxford University Press.