lin1iml imagining language

IMAGINING LANGUAGE

LIN1IML

2020

Credit points: 15

Subject outline

In this subject students will be introduced to the essential building blocks of language: the sounds and sound systems (phonetics and phonology), how words and sentences are structured (morphology and syntax) and how we understand meaning (semantics). Employing the analytical tools of linguistics, students will begin applying them to the development of a new language of their own imagining. The inspiration will come from a range of human languages, including natural languages, but also secret languages, ritual languages (for example the Aboriginal language Damin, or Polari spoken by members of the gay community in the UK) and constructed languages from TV (e.g. Dothraki and Valyrian in Game of Thrones , Belter Creole in The Expanse ), film (Na'vi from Avatar , and Elvish from Lord of the Rings ) and literature (Lapine from Watership Down and Newspeak from 1984 ).

SchoolHumanities and Social Sciences (Pre 2022)

Credit points15

Subject Co-ordinatorLauren Gawne

Available to Study Abroad/Exchange StudentsYes

Subject year levelYear Level 1 - UG

Exchange StudentsNo

Available as ElectiveNo

Learning ActivitiesN/A

Capstone subjectNo

Subject particulars

Subject rules

PrerequisitesN/A

Co-requisitesN/A

Incompatible subjectsN/A

Equivalent subjectsN/A

Quota Management StrategyN/A

Quota-conditions or rulesN/A

Special conditionsN/A

Minimum credit point requirementN/A

Assumed knowledgeN/A

Learning resources

For the Love of Language: An introduction to Linguistics

Resource TypeBook

Resource RequirementPrescribed

AuthorKate Burridge and Tonya N. Stebbins

Year2016

Edition/VolumeN/A

PublisherCAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS (Australia)

ISBNN/A

Chapter/article titleN/A

Chapter/issueN/A

URLN/A

Other descriptionN/A

Source locationN/A

Career Ready

Career-focusedNo

Work-based learningNo

Self sourced or Uni sourcedN/A

Entire subject or partial subjectN/A

Total hours/days requiredN/A

Location of WBL activity (region)N/A

WBL addtional requirementsN/A

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

Graduate Capabilities

COMMUNICATION - Communicating and Influencing

COMMUNICATION - Cultural Intelligence and Global Perspective

COMMUNICATION - Digital Capability

DISCIPLINE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Creativity and Innovation

INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Research and Evidence-Based Inquiry

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL - Ethical and Social Responsibility

Intended Learning Outcomes

01. Demonstrate an understanding of the basic building blocks of language Phonetics (sounds), Phonology (sound systems), Morphology (meaningful elements), Syntax (the arrangement of meaningful elements), Semantics (meaning and context), and apply various techniques for analysing these

02. Analyse linguistic datasets using knowledge from the foundational areas of linguistics - phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics

03. Identify the ways in which language is imagined - creating new languages for ritual purposes, for communication between minority groups, or for artistry and entertainment. The subject will directly assess this in a background of the global linguistic diversity.

04. Create your own linguistic variety, employing features of Phonetics, Phonology, Morphology, Syntax and Semantics

Subject options

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Melbourne (Bundoora), 2020, Semester 2, Blended

Overview

Online enrolmentYes

Maximum enrolment sizeN/A

Enrolment informationN/A

Subject Instance Co-ordinatorLauren Gawne

Class requirements

LectureWeek: 31 - 43
One 1.00 hour lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via blended.

TutorialWeek: 31 - 43
One 2.00 hours tutorial per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via blended.

Assessments

Assessment element	Comments	Category	Contribution	Hurdle	%	ILO*
Assignment 1 (1600 words)This assignment will test the students knowledge of linguistic structures, sounds and sound systems (phonetics and phonology), how words and sentences are structured (morphology and syntax) and how we understand meaning (semantics). Data sets from a range of natural languages will be employed to assist students to learn about the range and diversity of human languages.	N/A	N/A	N/A	No	40	SILO1, SILO2
Assignment 2 (1600 words)This assignment will be in separate parts throughout the semester, but counting towards a single unit, which is the creation of an imagined or constructed language using the principles of linguistic structure as taught in the course, practiced in the tutorials and on-line engagement and in the on-line forums. The parts of the assignment will deal with sounds and sound systems (phonetics and phonology).	N/A	N/A	N/A	No	40	SILO1, SILO3, SILO4
Weekly Homework (800 words)Weekly homework in the form of on-line quizzes and some on-line short essays will test the students knowledge of linguistic structures, with an emphasis on examining the data and linguistic building blocks from the global diversity of human language.	N/A	N/A	N/A	No	10	SILO1, SILO2
Weekly Homework (800 words)Assessed on-line forum posts, in which students will be expected to post discussions on four topics relating to the creation of the language that they are imagining	N/A	N/A	N/A	No	10	SILO1, SILO3, SILO4