Syllabus

English 458: Topics in Linguistics

Historical Linguistics

(3 credits)


Dr. Lynn Gordon

e-mail: gordonl@wsu.edu

Objectives The purpose of this course is to help students

  • to learn about how languages change over time;

  • to learn about the kinds of relationships that exist between languages;

  • to learn the techniques for analyzing and providing evidence for those relationships; and

  • to learn how to do formal analyses of language change and argue for particular analyses.

Text Historical Linguistics, 3rd ed. (2013). Lyle Campbell.

Tentative Schedule (Subject to instant revision)

  • Week 1: Introduction to linguistics and, in particular, historical linguistics: Chapter 1

  • Weeks 2-3: Sound change and analogy: Chapters 2 and 4

  • Weeks 3-6: Comparative and internal reconstruction: Chapters 5 and 8

  • Weeks 7-9: Language relationships: Chapters 6 and 7

  • Weeks 10-12: Language contact: borrowing, language areas, pidgins and creoles: Chapters 3 and 12

  • Weeks 12-14: Other kinds of language change: Chapters 9, 10, and 11

  • Week 15: Explanations: Chapter 12

Grading

  • Homework 15% There will be regular homework assignments, graded credit/no credit. There will typically be a class session between when the homework is assigned and when it is due, so that you have the opportunity to ask questions before the homework is due. Talk about your homework and anything else in the class with each other and me; however, each of you should write up your homework separately. No homework will be accepted late (unless there is a disaster which calls you out of school; colds, the press of other classes, or the general difficulties of life do not constitute disasters)-- so even if you feel your attempt is unsatisfactory, turn it in.

  • Quizzes 35% In place of a midterm exam there will be short quizzes every week or two. The quizzes will consist of problems similar to those we discuss in class and those on the homework assignments. No individual quiz is worth much; however all together they will form about a third of your course grade. There will be no make-up quizzes unless you have a disaster. (See above for what a disaster is.)

  • Final Exam 50% The cumulative final exam will be take-home due by 5:00 pm on Wednesday, 17 December.

University Announcements

Disability Policy Reasonable accommodations are available for students with a documented disability. If you have a disability and need accommodations to fully participate in this class, please either visit or call the Access Center (Washington Building 217; 509-335-3417) to schedule an appointment with an Access Advisor. All accommodations MUST be approved through the Access Center. For more information contact a Disability Specialist at 509-335-341, http://accesscenter.wsu.edu, Access.Center@wsu.edu

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You are expected to know and adhere to the rules of academic honesty as outlined in https://conduct.wsu.edu/academic-integrity/. Crucially, if you present anyone else's work as your own, whether by copying someone else's homework, having someone else do your homework, looking at another student's quiz or final exam, you will fail the assignment, quiz or exam; if the violation is repeated or very serious (copying an entire quiz or homework assignment or cheating on the final exam, for example), you will fail the class and will be reported to the Office of Student Conduct for further discipline.

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