Seminar 1

Theme: Theoretical English Linguistics: General Outline and Central Concepts

Aim: to acquire knowledge about linguistics and English linguistics in particular, main schools
of linguistics and its development up to now; to develop analytical skills as well as skills of
scientific reading and thinking.

Points for discussion:

1. Linguistics, its multiple definitions and interpretations.

2. The main aim and tasks of the Modern Linguistics.
3. The development of linguistics through history: from antiquity to present day.
4. The areas/branches of linguistic theory.
5. Structuralist linguistic thinking
6. Prague School of functionalism
7. Generative linguistics or formalism in the development of the linguistic theory.

Make up an individual glossary of terms concerning Theoretical English Linguistics

Key terms to be defined: linguistics, phonetics, phonology, lexicology, syntax,

psycholinguistics, ethnolinguistics, anthropological linguistics, corpus linguistics, applied
linguistics, biolinguistics, computational linguistics, philosophical linguistics, synchronic
linguistics, diachronic linguistics, descriptivism, prescriptivism, structural linguistics,
functionalism in linguistics, formalism or generative linguistics.

Outstanding linguists (discussion): Find and study the information about life, works and
contribution of a famous linguist (Ferdinand de Saussure, p. 8-32 // Robert de Beaugrande
Linguistic Theory: The Discourse of Fundamental Works, 2002)

Saussure F. de Course in General Linguistics. New York. Toronto. London (study this
paper obligatory)

Individual Task: Write a thought-provoking essay “The Development of Linguistics through

centuries: from the past to the present”.

Recommended Literature

1. Селіванова О.О. Сучасна лінгвістика: напрями та проблеми // О.О. Селіванова : підручник.

– Полтава : Довкілля-К, 2008. – 713 с.
2. Akmajian A. Linguistics. An Introduction to Language and Communication // A. Akmajian,
R.A. Demers, A.K. Farmer, R.M. Harnish : The Sixth Edition. – Cambridge : The MIT Press,
2010. – 645 p.
3. Crystal D. The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language
4. Becker A, Bieswanger M. Introduction to English Linguistics / A. Becker, M. Bieswanger. –
Stuttgart : UTB basics, 2006. – 244 p.
5. Broderick J.P. Modern English Linguistics. A Structural and Transformational Grammar // John
P. Broderick. – New York : Thomas Y. Crowell Company, 1975. – 265 p.
6. Denham K., Lobeck A. Linguistics for Everyone: An Introduction // Kristin Denham, Anne
Lobeck. – Australia : Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2013. – 575 p.
7. Language Universals / M.H. Christiansen, Chris Collins, Shimon Edelman eds. – Oxford :
Oxford University Press, 2009. – 309 p.
8. R. Beaugrande Linguistic Theory: The Discourse of Fundamental Works // web version, 2002. –
396 p.
9. The Linguistics Encyclopedia / Ed. By Kirsten MalmkjEr. – London and N.Y. : Routledge, 2006.
– 824 p.
10. Lyons J. Introduction to Theoretical Linguistics // J. Lyons. – Cambridge : Cambridge University
Press, 1971. – 519 p.
11. Richter B. First Steps in Theoretical and Applied Linguistics / Borbala Richter. – Budapest :
Bolcsesz Konzorcium, 2006. – 212 p.
12. Routledge Dictionary of Language and Linguistics / translated and edited by Gregory Trauth and
Kerstin Kazzazi. – London and N.Y. : Routledge, 2006. – 1335 p.
13. Saussure F. de Course in General Linguistics. New York. Toronto. London
14. Supplementary Readings. Theories and Schools of Modern Linguistics
15. The Cambridge Companion to Chomsky / J. McGilvray ed. – Cambridge : Cambridge University
Press, 2007. – 335 p.
16. The Handbook of English Linguistics / Bas Aarts, April McMahon. – UK : Blackwell Publishing,
2006. – 815 p.
17. Trask R.L. Why Do Languages Change? // R. L. Trask. – Cambridge : Cambridge University
Press, 2010. – 212 p.