Introduction to English Linguistics

Course: Introduction to English Linguistics

Time: Tue. 9:10-12:00
Place: 250102, Research bldg.
Teacher: Prof. Wenhui Sah
Office Hours: by appointment (whsah@nccu.edu.tw)

Course Description
Linguistics is the scientific study of language, specifically of language form, language meaning,
and language in context. At the heart of linguistics is an understanding of the unconscious
knowledge that humans have about language, the structure of language in general and of
particular languages, how children acquire language, how languages vary, and how language
influences the way in which we interact with each other and think about the world. In this
semester, the following topics will be included: language acquisition, language variation,
language contact, and language change.

Course Objectives
This course provides a general introduction to the study of language with special emphasis on
the English language. The course helps students (1) understand different aspects of human
language, (2) develop logical and critical thinking through analysis of language data, and
discussion of linguistics problems, and (3) acquire foreign languages more efficiently.

Syllabus
The following topics will be included in the second semester:
 Language acquisition
 Psycholinguistics
 Language variation
 Language and culture
 Language contact
 Language change

Learning Outcomes
 Analytical skills: Analysis of language data
 Critical thinking skills: Interpretation of the data analysis
 Acquisition of knowledge: Understanding of knowledge in linguistics
 Communication skills: Appropriate speaking and writing in English

Course requirements/Grading standards

1. Three points are taken off your total score for one absence of the class; you do not pass the
course if you are absent over three times. Furthermore, class participation through
discussion and group work is essential.
2. Assignments are given from time to time, so you are strongly urged to preview and review
the reading assignments.
3. Group project and oral & written presentations

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4. Mid-term exam

Evaluation Criteria
 Mid-term exam (20%)
 Attendance, participation & assignments (40%)
 Oral and written reports (40%)
 Cheating or plagiarism (FAIL)

Textbook & References

 Language Files: Materials for an Introduction to Language and Linguistics, 12th Edition.
Columbus: Ohio State University Press.
 Rickerson, E.M., and Hilton, B. (Eds.) 2012. The 5-Minute Linguist: Bite-sized Essays on
Language and Languages, Second Edition. Sheffield: Equinox.

Course Related links 課程相關連結

Linguistic Society of America
http://www.linguisticsociety.org/

The International Phonetic Association

http://www.langsci.ucl.ac.uk/ipa/ipachart.html

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Course Schedule

2/14 Introduction
2/21 Language acquisition
(Lecture Ch. 8; Discussion File 8.6 & Practice)
2/28 Holiday
3/7 Language acquisition
(Lecture Ch. 8; Discussion File 8.6 & Practice)
3/14 Psycholinguistics
(Lecture Ch. 9; Discussion File 9.8 & Practice)
3/21 Language variation
(Lecture Ch. 10; Discussion File 10.6 & Practice)
3/28 Language variation
(Lecture Ch. 10 &; Discussion File 10.6 & Practice)
4/4 Holiday
4/11 Mid-term
4/18 Language and culture
(Lecture Ch. 11; Discussion File 11.6 & Practice)
Research topic
4/25 Language and culture
(Lecture Ch. 11; Discussion File 11.6 & Practice; Research topic)
5/2 Guest speaker: TBA
5/9 Language contact
(Lecture Ch. 12; Discussion File 12.8 & Practice; Progress report)
Progress report
5/16 Language contact
(Lecture Ch. 12; Discussion File 12.8 & Practice)
5/23 Language change
(Lecture Ch. 13; Discussion File 13.8 & Practice; Progress report)
5/30 Language change
(Lecture Ch. 13; Discussion File 13.8 & Practice)
6/6 Oral presentation (Groups 1-4)
6/13 Oral Presentation (Groups 5-8)
6/20 Paper due

Final oral presentation (20 minutes for each group)

Final written reports (double-spaced; 5-7 pages, excluding title page, tables/figures, references
and appendices)