LANGUAGE CHANGE

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Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to define historical linguistics as a sub-field of macro-linguistics.
The student: 1.1. classifies languages, 1.2. explains comparative reconstruction, 1.3. analyzes various aspects of historical changes.
By the end of the course, the student will be able to describe the basic concepts in sociolinguistics.
The student: 2.1. explains the relationship between language and society, 2.2. explains the difference between descriptivism and prescriptivism, 2.3. explains the difference between speech and writing.
By the end of the course, the student will be able to analyze regional variation in language.
The student: 3.1. defines the terms 'dialect,' 'accent', and 'language.' 3.2. distinguishes between isoglosses and dialect boundaries, 3.3. interprets dialect maps, 3.4. explains the notion ‘dialect continuum.’
By the end of the course, the student will be able to analyze the process of language contact.
The student: 4.1. explains the process of pidginization, 4.2. explains the process of creolization, 4.3. explains the process of decreolization, 4.4. defines the notion ‘lingua franca'.
By the end of the course, the student will be able to analyze the process of language planning.
The student: 5.1. distinguishes national and official languages, 5.2. describes the processes involved in language planning, 5.3. explains the linguist's role in language planning.
By the end of the course, the student will be able to analyze social variation in language.
The student: 6.1. describes user-based variables, 6.2. describes usage-based variables.
By the end of the course, the student will be able to discuss the relationship between language, thought and culture.
The student: 7.1. explains the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, 7.2. explains the cognitive view, 7.3. lists the differences between the two views, 7.3. interprets the examples both supporting and contradicting the two views.