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| Semester | spring semester 2014 |
| Course frequency | Every spring sem. |
| Lecturers | Thomas Messerli (thomas.messerli@unibas.ch) |
| Content | This compulsory proseminar (BA 2005) introduces students to the history of the English language (from the beginnings to the present day), and aims to sharpen their understanding of the historical dynamics of linguistic systems. A strong emphasis will be placed on methodology and data. This means we will question how best to explore language change in the past, despite the absence of spoken records and scant written data from particular periods. Reasons for language change, both language- internal and -external, will be examined. In particular, we will (a) be looking at different levels of the linguistic system to understand in what ways phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics are subject to variation, adaptation and change over time, and (b) reflect on how social, economic and anthropological factors involving speakers' mobility and contact between languages and language varieties are at the heart of variation and change. It is strongly recommended that BA students who take the proseminar on historical linguistics also follow the lecture The History of English (21837-01) . |
| Learning objectives | To introduce students to the historical aspects of language change and, more generally, to the events in the history of the English language that relate to linguistic changes. |
| Bibliography | All texts will be made available on ISIS. |
| Comments | It is strongly recommended that BA students who take the proseminar on historical linguistics also follow the lecture The History of English (21837-01) . |
| Weblink | ISIS |
| Admission requirements | Successful completion of the module "Learning about Linguistics" (BA 2005) |
| Course application | Please register for this course on ISIS. The number of students is limited to 25 per group. |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | Online, mandatory |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
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No dates available. Please contact the lecturer.
| Modules |
Modul Refining Skills in Linguistics (Bachelor's degree subject: English (Start of studies before 01.08.2013)) (Pflicht) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | Active participation, oral presentation, written assignment |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: not required |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | Pass / Fail |
| Repeated registration | as often as necessary |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, studadmin-philhist@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Fachbereich Englische Sprach- und Literaturwissenschaft |