Information structure

Aims

Aims

This module introduces students to the basic notions of information structure and their interpretation.  We focus on the ways such notions influence the syntactic and phonological shape of sentences.

In the first part of this module, you will explore competing definitions of key notions in information structure, such as focus and topic, and old vs. new information. You will learn some of the ways in which languages express these notions, which vary cross-linguistically. In the practical part of the course you will investigate one or more notions of information structure by means of a small-scale data collection project, using simple fieldwork elicitation techniques and/or corpus analysis.

By the end of the module, students will be able to:

• Define key notions in information structure
• Describe the reflexes of information structure in one or more languages
• See connections between data and theory with respect to information structure
• Discuss competing interpretations/explanations of one or more notions of information structure
• Analyse relevant language data with respect to information structure
• Present data as evidence in support of a theoretical argument

Note that a Research Extension module can be taken alongside this module, for students who wish to write a dissertation.

This module will be capped at 35.

Prerequisites

Prerequisites

Students must have successfully completed any TWO of:

• L16I Intermediate syntax
• L09I Intermediate phonetics and phonology
• L11I Intermediate semantics

Programme

Programme

Contact hours

Two to three hours per week.

Teaching programme

Lectures in the first part of the module will present the fundamental notions of information structure (topic, focus, etc ...) and will explore the different expressions of these notions crosslinguistically and their effects on sentence structure and organisation.

In the second part of the module, seminars will concentrate on data analysis in order to test and apply the theoretical concepts introduced in the lecture part of the module.

Suggestions for reading before the module starts

The following article can be downloaded from Manfred Krifka’s website:

• Krifka, Manfred. 2007. Basic notions in information structure. In C. Fery and M. Krifka (eds.), Interdisciplinary Studies of Information Structure 6, Potsdam.

Assessment and feedback

Assessment and feedback

Feedback on formative work

• Proposal for small-scale data collection project
  • Due: Week 8, Spring Term
  • Feedback within 2 weeks of submission

Summative assessment and feedback

• Essay/report
  1,500 words, to be submitted by Friday of Week 4, Summer Term.
  • Weight: 50%
• 90-minute closed exam
  Weeks 5-7, Summer Term.
  • Weight: 50%

Skills

Transferable skills developed in this module

All modules provide an opportunity to work on general oral/written communication skills (in class and in assessments) and general self management (organising your studies), alongside the specific skills in language or linguistics that the module teaches.

In addition, this module will allow you to particularly develop skills in creativity and innovation, as a large component of the module is a piece of data collection that you will design and carry out. You will need to identify which of a set of pre-existing tools for data collection of information structure concepts are most suitable for your purposes, carry out data collection according to ethical protocols, then analyse and interpret your results. The opportunity to set your own goal and then find a way to address it allow you to demonstrate the kind of creativity that is very valuable in the employment marketplace.

Follow this link to hear how past students use transferable skills from their degree in their current jobs.