Introduction to the linguistic study of word structure and how
this relates to other components of the grammar of a language
(phonology, syntax, semantics). Theoretical issues and problems
in the study of morphology will be discussed in connection with
the analysis of data from a wide variety of languages.
Athena Title
Morphology
Prerequisite
LING 2100 or LING 2100E or LING 2100H
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to explain fundamental concepts in the study of word structure (morphology) and identify the assumptions that underlie these analytical concepts.
Students will be able to describe and categorize different types of morphological processes and systems that are found in human languages.
Students will be able to analyze morphological data, developing hypotheses and supporting arguments with appropriate evidence.
Students will be able to present written analyses in a clear and well organized manner that is stylistically appropriate for linguistic research.
Students will be able to critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the two main types of theoretical models (morpheme-based vs. word-based theories).
Topical Outline
1. What is linguistic morphology? Basic concepts, goals of morphological research, techniques of morphological analysis, morphological typology
2. Morphological patterns/processes
3. The nature of the lexicon
4. Morpheme-based and word-based theoretical models
5. Inflection and derivation: distinguishing inflection from derivation, inflectional categories and feature values, the morphology-syntax interface
6. Productivity
7. The morphology-phonology interface
8. Words and phrases: compounds, clitics
9. Inflectional paradigms and morphological complexity
