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  4. Portuguese and English Studies
  5. Introduction to Language Sciences

Introduction to Language Sciences

Objectives

1. To recognize language as a cognitive activity;


2. To relate the concepts of ´language´ and ´languages´;


4. To develop different tools to describe and analyse natural languages;


5. To establish differences and similarities among languages;


6. To become aware of the interactions among Language Sciences and other areas of knowledge.

General characterization

Code

711131043

Credits

6.0

Responsible teacher

Helena Virgínia Topa Valentim, Sandra Maria de Brito Pereira, Maria do Céu Sernache Caetano Mocho

Hours

Weekly - 4

Total - 168

Teaching language

Portuguese

Prerequisites

NA

Bibliography

  • Burridge, K. & T. Stebbins, 2020, For the Love of Language. An Introduction to Linguistics, Cambridge University Press
  • Crystal, D. 2010. A Little book of Language. New Haven and London: Yale University Press.
  • Davies, A. & C. Eder (eds) 2006. The Handbook of Applied Linguistics.
  • John Wiley Dryer, M. S. & M. Haspelmath (eds.) 2013.The World Atlas of Language Structures Online. Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology. (http://wals.info).
  • Fromkin, V., Rodman, R. & N. Hyams. [2003] 2017. An Introduction to Language. Thomson Wadsworth. McWhorter, John 2019 Languages families of the world. The Great Courses. Pullum, Geoffrey K. 2018. Linguistics: Why It Matters. Polity Press.

Teaching method

The course will be organized in a way that provides a balanced combination of theoretical and practical classes. At the beginning of the semester, students will be given a detailed schedule combining topics to be covered and suggestions for activities to be undertaken. As learning assessment, students are required to take four in-class mandatory tests corresponding to 90% of the final grade; autonomous work and active participation in the classes including the presentation of case studies proposed during the semester (corresponding to 10%).

Evaluation method

Continuous assessment - Attendance and Participation(10%), Four in-class mandatory tests(90%)

Subject matter

1. Language and non-verbal communication:

 1.1. Human brain mapping and language activity;

 1.2. Language and communication;

 1.3. The origin of languages and language;

 1.4. World languages: language families and language typology;

2. How can languages be studied:

 2.1. Observables in linguistics, data collection and forms of data validation;

 2.2. Case studies based on specific the linguistic properties of different languages.

3. Interdisciplinary perspectives.