MZUZU UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGES & LITERATURE

1. Programme : Bachelor of Arts (Education)

2. Subject : English
3. Course Title : Introduction to Language
4. Course Code : ENGL1102
5. Lecture hours per week : Two
6. Tutorial/Seminar hours/week : One
7. Assessment : Continuous 40%
Examination 60%
8. Aim(s) of the Course : To give students an overview of
the basic areas of language study.
9. Objectives of the Course : By the end of the course students
should be able to:
(i) define language
(ii) describe origins of language
(iii) explain the characteristics of language
(iv) explain the difference between human
and non-human forms of communication
(v) discuss each of the branches of linguistic
study

10. Topics of the study :

(i) Definition, origin and characteristics of
language

(ii) Branches of Linguistic study

(a) Phonetics

1
 (b) Phonology
(c) Morphology
(d) Syntax
(e) Semantics
(f) Pragmatics
(f) Historical linguistics

11. Prescribed Texts :

Fromkin, V. and Rodman, R. (1983). Introduction to Language. New York: Holt,

Rinehart & Winston.

Katamba, F. (1989). Introduction to Phonology. New York: Longman

O’Grady, W.; Debrovolsky, M.; & Aroneff, M. (1989). Contemporary Linguistics: An

Introduction. New York : St. Martin’s Press.

Yule, C (1996). Introduction to Language. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

12. Recommended Reading :

Abercrombie, D. (1970). Elements of General Phonetics. Edinburgh: Edinburgh
University Press.

Crystal, D. (1995). The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language.

Cambridge: Cambridge University Press

Langacker, R. (1973). Language and its Structure. Chicago: Harcourt Brance

Jovanovich, Inc.

Lyons, J. (1968). Introduction to Theoretical Linguistics. Cambridge: Cambridge

University Press

Lyons, J. (1981). Introduction to Language and Linguistics. Cambridge: Cambridge

University Press.

Nasr, R.T. (1980). The Essentials of Linguistic Science. London : Longman

Robins, R. H. (1976). General Linguistics: An Introductory Survey. London:

Longman.

2
 Wallwork, J.F (1969). Language and Linguistics: An Introduction to the Study of
Language. London : Heinemann Educational Books.

13. Continuous Assessment

40% continuous assessment shall constitute a minimum of two assessments which

shall include a mid-semester test plus one individual assignment.