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).
SchoolSchool of Humanities & Social Sciences
Credit points15
Subject Co-ordinatorLauren Gawne
Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes
Subject year levelYear Level 1 - UG
Exchange StudentsYes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
PrerequisitesN/A
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjectsN/A
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditionsN/A
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | For the Love of Language: An introduction to Linguistics | Prescribed | Kate Burridge and Tonya N. Stebbins (2016) | CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS (Australia) |
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
- Activities:
- Assignment 1 # where students are required to understand how to analyse aspects of each of these five building blocks with regard to Natural language dat Assignment 2 # where students are required to use these to create their own language Weekly Online Exercises
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills (Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)
02. Analyse linguistic datasets using knowledge from the foundational areas of linguistics - phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics
- Activities:
- Assignment 1 Weekly Online Exercises
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills (Writing,Cultural Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills (Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
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.
- Activities:
- Assignment 2
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills (Writing,Cultural Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills (Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)
04. Create your own linguistic variety, employing features of Phonetics, Phonology, Morphology, Syntax and Semantics
- Activities:
- Assignment 2
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills (Writing,Cultural Literacy)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills (Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
Subject options
Select to view your study options…
Melbourne, 2020, Semester 2, Blended
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorLauren Gawne
Class requirements
Lecture
Week:
31
-
43
One 1.0 hours lecture per week
on weekdays
during the day
from week 31 to week 43
and delivered via blended.
Tutorial
Week:
31
-
43
One 2.0 hours tutorial per week
on weekdays
during the day
from week 31 to week 43
and delivered via blended.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | 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. | 40 | 01, 02 |
| 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). | 40 | 01, 03, 04 |
| 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. | 10 | 01, 02 |
| 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 fo the language that they are imagining | 10 | 01, 03, 04 |