Linguistics 201: Introduction to Linguistics

Instructor:
TA: PASS Leader:

Steve Winters
Jamison Cooper-Leavitt Kirsty Gruber

Meets:

EEEL 210
MWF 2:00-2:50

What is linguistics?
Linguistics is the scientific study of language. Science is a fancy word for knowledge. from Latin: sciens having knowledge Q: What do we know about language?

Linguists know (part 1):

Language is biological.
Language is uniquely human. Every child acquires language.

Every human society uses language for communication.

All languages share certain features in common ...and there are certain features not found in any language. Language forms a part of your brain.

Linguists know (part 2):

Language is very complex.
Every language has a system of rules for constructing syllables, words and sentences. = the grammar of that language Knowing a language means: knowing these rules This knowledge is mostly sub-conscious

You dont know what you know!

Linguists try to figure out what these rules are.

Examples
Possible English words: plab forch beeg shump staz hibber crong trab

Unpossible English words:

fmort glsik rmak msile vlash zpin ngotch ptud

Some acceptable English sentences:

1. Who do you think Tom is shouting at? 2. Who do you think that Tom is shouting at?

3. Who do you think is shouting at Harry?

An unacceptable English sentence:

4. *Who do you think that is shouting at Harry?

Our (Scientific) Method

Be observant! Language is all around you.

and people use it all the time.

Have an open mind. All languages are equally complex.

All languages are systematic (= rule-based).

(Note: Linguistics is not about learning how to speak the right way.)

Look for generalizations.

Finding general truths about language is the way we figure out what the rules of language are.

Linguists know (part 3):

Language is creative. It enables you to say (and think) things that you have never heard before. chillax His facebook picture makes me lulz.

Im going to re-message him.

Totes! gifting Thats sick! Language is not just learned from the environment. Language is (partly) innate!

Course Requirements
Homeworks -- best 4 of 5 Mid-term Exam Final Exam Quick Writes 30% 30% 30% 10%

Grades will be posted to the class website on the compass system:

https://blackboard.ucalgary.ca/webapps/login/

The syllabus, homeworks, lecture notes, handouts, quick writes, and other links will be posted to:
https://webdisk.ucalgary.ca/~swinters/public_html/ling201/index.html

Why are we here?

y = 0.0207x + 0.2462 90% 80% 70%
Course Grade %

R2 = 0.4341

60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 0 5 10 15 20 25

Total Quick Writes

Course Texts
Required: Contemporary Linguistic Analysis, William O'Grady & John Archibald, eds. (2011), 7th ed. Also recommended: Study Guide to Contemporary Linguistic Analysis. Teresa Merrells & Anna L. Moro (2011). The text has its own website: http://www.pearsoncanada.ca/ogrady/ There is also an answer key that comes along with the book. (and can be found on the website, as well)

The Future
On Wednesday, we will discuss: human language and animal communication more on language knowledge Check out: Chapter 16.1-16.4 of the textbook (available on the course website)

Any questions?