Linguistics

Introduction to General Linguistics (I) 6 ECTS

Main literature: OGrady, W. et al. Contemporary Linguistics: An Introduction. CUP
Complimentary literature: Ashby, M., Maidment, J. 2005. Introducing Phonetic Science (Cambridge
Introductions to Language and Linguistics)
Goals: (1) Acquire intermediate knowledge of phonetics. (2) Acquire the basics in phonology,
morphology, syntax and semantics. (3) General knowledge of pragmatics. (4) Overview of more
specific fields of linguistics (psycholinguistics, sociolinguistics). (5) Be able to critically discuss a
linguistic problem.
Assessment: 1 exam (80%), 1 essay (20%), 1 brief presentation at the end of term (required to pass)

Phonetics and Phonology (II) 6 / 10 ECTS

This is a more advanced course and the emphasis will be on phonetics.
Main literature: (1) Ashby, M., Maidment, J. 2005. Introducing Phonetic Science (Cambridge
Introductions to Language and Linguistics). (2) Gussenhoven, C. & Jacobs, H. Understanding
Phonology.
Complimentary literature: various
Goals: (1) Acquire good knowledge in the most central areas of phonetics. (2) Acquire anatomical
knowledge of the vocal tract and be able to fully describe speech production. (3) Be able to conduct a
phonetic analysis with the software Praat. (4) Be able to transcribe speech using the phonetic
notation with the IPA alphabet. (5) Acquire intermediate knowledge in the central areas of
phonology.
Assessment: 1 phonetic analysis with the software Praat (25%), 1 phonetic transcription (25%), 1
exam (50%)

Introduction to Historical Linguistics (I) 6 ECTS

Main literature: Campbell, L. 2004. Historical Linguistics. An Introduction. Edinburgh University Press
Complimentary literature: Crowley, T. 2010. An Introduction to Historical Linguistics, 4th edition,
OUP
Goals: (1) Know the main methods of historical linguistics. (2) Be familiar with the main literature and
journals. (3) Know the different kinds of language change. (4) Know the central issues and the
limitations of historical linguistics and be able to discuss them. (5) Basic knowledge of the history of
the Indo-European language family. (6) More specific knowledge of the historical phonetics of a
language / language family of choice. (7) Apply a simple language reconstruction. (8) Know the
history of the linguistic classification of Armenian and be able to discuss loanwords in Armenian. (9)
Be able to characterise a non-Indo-European language family.
Assessment: 1 exam (50%), 1 essay (50%), 1 brief presentation at the end of term (required to pass)

Historical Linguistics (II): Diachronic Grammar of Aryan (IndoIranian) 6 ECTS

This course offers a diachronic examination of a major branch of the Indo-European language family.
This language family is one of the very few in the world that is well documented from early antiquity
down to the present and hence offers an excellent opportunity to see all sorts of diachronic linguistic
processes in action. To keep it at a simple enough level, the course will mostly focus on Iranian
phonology (sound changes) and only sporadically deal with morphology and syntax. We will follow
the language family from the oldest Avestan and Sanskrit down to Modern languages such as Persian
and Kurdish. The course also involves Old Armenian. No prior knowledge of any Indo-Iranian
language is required.
For linguists (non-philologists), each lecture will deal with a topic in Indo-Iranian and then critically
discuss an involved linguistic phenomenon from a general linguistic perspective (e.g. dialect vs.
language, borrowing, analogy, reconstruction, etc.).
Literature: various
Goals: (1) Roughly know the history of the Indo-European, Indo-Iranian (Aryan) and Iranian (and also
Armenian) people and their languages. (2) Know the three diachronic and synchronic linguistic
divisions and be able to critically discuss the methodology used for this divisions. (3) Be able to
critically discuss historical documents for linguistic study with respect to age, type, provenance, script
and quality. (4) Understand the difference between phonetic, phonemic, syllabic, consonantal and
ideographic representation and the specific problems each poses for historical linguistic analysis. (5)
Know the main phonetic properties of (A) Sanskrit and Old Iranian, (B) Middle Iranian languages, (C)
Modern Persian and know the main phonological changes. (6) Be able to explain morphological
ergativity. (7) Know the historical syntactic process involved in the creation of the Ezafehconstruction. (8) Be able to distinguish different stages of linguistic borrowing in the Old Armenian
corpus and to demonstrate a simple linguistic reconstruction with the help of Old Armenian. (9) Have
a general notion of typological systems and typological influence. (10) Be able to critically discuss the
distinction between languages and dialects.
Assessment: 2 essays (30% each), 1 presentation (20%), 1 exam paper (short essay, 20%)

Linguistic Workshop: Field Linguistics (II) 3 ECTS

Requirement: intermediate knowledge of phonetics. This workshop will provide basic training in field
linguistics and is designed for students who (A) wish to apply their skills in phonetics and
phonological analysis or (B) wish to document endangered languages as a linguist (e.g. in a project).
The workshop involves literature that must be read prior to the meetings, an introduction to the
technical equipment of a field linguist (Dictaphone, camera etc.), instructions on how to set up an
ideal situation for recording, how to get native speakers to cooperate, how to organise your
transcriptions and notes and how to conduct a useful linguistic analysis of your material. The
workshop involves practical training as well as an introduction to current projects, resources and
contacts for field linguists.
Assessment: 1 short field recording project incl. transcription and analysis.

Language Instruction
English
English language (grammar, pronunciation, reading skills, writing skills, academic writing)
English conversation
Speaking level: native fluency
Teaching level: beginners, intermediate speakers, advanced speakers.

German
German language and literature (entire spectrum)
German conversation
Speaking level: native
Teaching level: beginners - native speakers

Persian
Persian language (grammar, pronunciation, reading and writing for beginners/intermediate speakers)
Persian conversation
Speaking level: native
Teaching level: beginners, intermediate speakers