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| Semester | fall semester 2023 |
| Course frequency | Irregular |
| Lecturers | Julia Landmann (julia.landmann@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | Lexicology has moved to the focus of linguistic concern in recent years. This trend has benefited from the creation of a variety of research tools, including historical corpora, dictionaries and thesauri, which make possible a comprehensive and detailed investigation of the evolution of a language. In addition, these newly compiled sources allow the application of different linguistic theories and approaches to the analysis of the vocabulary typical of earlier periods of English language history. This lecture gives an overview of the most essential frameworks relevant for the historical investigation of the English vocabulary. Specific attention will be accorded to electronic dictionaries and corpora, such as the Oxford English Dictionary Online and the Corpus of Historical American English. The important issue will be addressed of how these sources can be fruitfully used to obtain important insights into the development of the vocabulary of English. Lexical innovation and change are typical characteristics of a living language. They often point to changing social situations or recent cultural trends. In this lecture, we will also look at a multitude of historical and socio-cultural factors which have left their traces in the English lexicon in the form of new words and meanings. |
| Learning objectives | At the end of this lecture students • can explain and apply essential approaches to English Historical Lexicology with their underlying concepts and related paradigms • know how to apply theoretical knowledge to empirical data • have an overview of the development of English vocabulary over the centuries, interpreted against a multi-faceted historical and socio-cultural background |
| Bibliography | Hughes, G. (2000): A History of English Words. New Jersey: John Wiley. Lecture slides will be made available on ADAM. |
| Weblink | ADAM |
| Admission requirements | None |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | Online, mandatory |
| Course auditors welcome |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Thursday | 14.15-16.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday 21.09.2023 | 14.15-16.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Thursday 28.09.2023 | 14.15-16.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Thursday 05.10.2023 | 14.15-16.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Thursday 12.10.2023 | 14.15-16.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Thursday 19.10.2023 | 14.15-16.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Thursday 26.10.2023 | 14.15-16.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Thursday 02.11.2023 | 14.15-16.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Thursday 09.11.2023 | 14.15-16.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Thursday 16.11.2023 | 14.15-16.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Thursday 23.11.2023 | 14.15-16.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Thursday 30.11.2023 | 14.15-16.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Thursday 07.12.2023 | 14.15-16.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Thursday 14.12.2023 | 14.15-16.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Thursday 21.12.2023 | 14.15-16.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Modules |
Modul: Advanced English Linguistics (Bachelor's degree subject: English) Modul: English Linguistics (Master's degree subject: English) Modul: Forschungspraxis und Vertiefung (Master's degree program: Language and Communication) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft BA (Bachelor's degree subject: Italian Language and Literature) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft BA (Bachelor's degree subject: Nordic Philology (Start of studies before 01.08.2022)) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft BA (Bachelor's degree subject: Nordic Philology) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft BA (Bachelor's degree subject: Spanish Language and Literature) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft BA (Bachelor's degree subject: English) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft BA (Bachelor's degree subject: German Language and Literature) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft BA (Bachelor's degree subject: French Language and Literature) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: Slavic Studies) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: French Language and Literature) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: Spanish Language and Literature) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: Nordic Philology (Start of studies before 01.08.2022)) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: English) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: Latin Philology) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: Italian Language and Literature) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: German Language and Literature) Modul: Sprache als Prozess (Master's degree program: Language and Communication) |
| Assessment format | record of achievement |
| Assessment details | Written exam in the final session |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: not required |
| Repeat examination | one repetition, repetition counts |
| 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 |