Introduction to language typology, which categorizes languages according to distinct structural features, including methods for compiling unbiased samples and defining comparable categories across languages as the foundation for identifying typological universals (correlations and limitations on the co-occurrence of linguistic structures), with the goal of understanding why such linguistic universals exist.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students: Graduate students will be held to a higher standard of work, in
terms of both breadth and depth of coverage, in all graded
assignments and will complete additional required readings.
Graduate students will also be required to choose a topic for an
independent research project in consultation with the
instructor. Potential topics include: (1) addressing a
controversy in the field of typology; (2) applying typological
methods to a new data set; (3) investigating the employment of
typological findings as a means of informing studies in other
subfields of linguistics; or (4) other topics as approved by
the instructor. This independent research will result in an
in-class presentation at the end of the semester and a final
research paper.
Athena Title
Language Typology
Prerequisite
LING 3060 or LING 3150 or LING 3150W or LING 3830
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to assess a set of languages for its suitability to investigate typological features in the world’s languages by identifying any inherent bias due to sample size, geographic proximity, and genetic relationship.
By the end of this course, students will be able to critique the methodology of a typological study by exploring the reproducibility of the conclusions.
By the end of this course, students will be able to refine categorical definitions for the classification of linguistic features (particularly those features reflecting scalar phenomena) in typological investigations through collaborative consideration of a wide range of language data.
By the end of this course, students will be able to propose explanations for the apparent correlations among language structures and imbalances in the distribution of these structures by referencing cognitive, functional, historical, or physical considerations among others.
Topical Outline
1. The methods of language sampling
2. The impact of definition on language categorization
3. The forms of universals (or tendencies) that have been
identified
4. The various explanations for the occurrence of imbalances in
the distribution of linguistic structures (e.g., language
contact, common descent, innateness, functional similarity)
5. The breadth of linguistic variation for selected features
(including phonological, morpho-syntactic, and semantic
features)
6. The impact of typological findings on other linguistic
fields; e.g., critiquing synchronic or diachronic analyses,
refining theoretical approaches, distinguishing internal
(typical from a typological perspective) from external impacts
(i.e., contact influence) on language, cognitive constraints
Institutional Competencies Learning Outcomes
Analytical Thinking
The ability to reason, interpret, analyze, and solve problems from a wide array of authentic contexts.
Critical Thinking
The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.
