LANGUAGE ACROSS TIME

LIN2LAT

Not currently offered

Credit points: 15

Subject outline

All languages are constantly changing, just as other aspects of human society are also constantly changing. How and why do these changes begin? How and why do they take hold and spread? How can we explain them? This subject is an introduction to the study of language over time. We will examine changes at all linguistic levels: vocabulary, meaning, sounds and grammar. Examples are drawn from the history of a wide range of languages: European, Pacific, Asian, Australian. Part of the subject also gives students practice in reconstructing lost stages of languages, using the internal and comparative methods of reconstruction.

Faculty: Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences

Credit points: 15

Subject Co-ordinator: David Bradley

Available to Study Abroad Students: Yes

Subject year level: Year Level 2 - UG

Exchange Students: Yes

Subject particulars

Subject rules

Prerequisites: Must have passed 15 credit points at first-year level from Linguistics. All other students require Coordinator's approval.

Co-requisites: N/A

Incompatible subjects: LIN3LAT

Equivalent subjects: N/A

Special conditions: N/A

Learning resources

Readings

Resource TypeTitleResource RequirementAuthor and YearPublisher
ReadingsLanguage change: progress or decay?PrescribedAitchison, J. 20013RD EDN, CAMBRIDGE UP
Subject not currently offered - Subject options not available.