This course is an introduction to the formal, scientific and empirical study of language. The emphasis will be on your understanding the linguistic structure of the English language, though we will also work through problems in other languages. If you plan to be a teacher, you need to know about your language and how it actually works. After the introduction, we’ll begin with the study of the sound system, both through phonetics, the actual sounds, and through phonology, the structuring of sounds. From there, we’ll move into lexicon and morphology, the smallest units of meaning, and continue into semantics. Syntax is next–the structure of phrase and clause. Next we’ll examine and study larger units of meaning in pragmatics, and information structure, especially the parts closely related to syntax. Next we’ll apply the materials to language in society, especially the major dialects of English, the history of the language, and the values ascribed to language. Throughout the course, we will also read Rosina Lippi Green’s English with an Accent, a book that gives critical scrutiny to attitudes about language use.

Texts:
Finegan, Edward. Language: Its Structure and Use. 6th ed. (Wadsworth/Cengage)
Lippi Green, Rosina. English with an Accent. 2nd ed. (Routledge)