IMAGINING LANGUAGE

LIN1IML

2021

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 major world languages, minoritized and endangered languages, and constructed languages .

SchoolHumanities and Social Sciences

Credit points15

Subject Co-ordinatorLauren Gawne

Available to Study Abroad/Exchange StudentsYes

Subject year levelYear Level 1 - UG

Available as ElectiveYes

Learning ActivitiesAssignment 1, Assignment 2, Weekly Online Exercises

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

Readings

For the Love of Language: An introduction to Linguistics

Resource TypePrescribed

Resource RequirementN/A

AuthorKate Burridge and Tonya N. Stebbins

Year2020

Edition/Volume2nd Edition

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

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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Start date between: and    Key dates

Melbourne (Bundoora), 2021, Semester 2, Blended

Overview

Online enrolmentYes

Maximum enrolment sizeN/A

Subject Instance Co-ordinatorLauren Gawne

Class requirements

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

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

Assessments

Assessment elementCommentsCategoryContributionHurdle% 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). 

N/AAssignmentIndividualNo60 SILO1, SILO2

Assignment 2 (1600 words) In this assignment students will create an imagined or constructed language, based on examples from real-world languages, and using the principles of linguistic structure as taught in the course. 

N/AAssignmentIndividualNo30 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/AOtherIndividualNo10 SILO1, SILO2