Historical Comparative Syntax - LAN00104M
- Department: Language and Linguistic Science
- Credit value: 20 credits
- Credit level: M
- Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
Module summary
The module will explore diachronic issues in comparative syntax, with special focus on the role of language diversity for linguistic theory.
Module will run
Occurrence | Teaching period |
---|---|
A | Semester 1 2023-24 |
Module aims
The module will make students able to apply formal comparative tools to the syntax of different languages, both close and remote, with special focus on data from the structure of nominal phrases.
Module learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students will be able to:
-
Apply comparative methods to a wide-range of syntactic phenomena and articulate the ways in which they vary, reflecting an understanding of the notion of comparison in syntax
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Concretely use and apply the parametric models of grammatical diversity to syntactic data
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Explain and articulate the role of parametric models in theoretical and historical explanation;
Module content
Nominal parameter systems and their subdomains.
Indicative assessment
Task | % of module mark |
---|---|
Essay/coursework | 100 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
Task | % of module mark |
---|---|
Essay/coursework | 100 |
Module feedback
Oral feedback on presentations. Feedback on summative assessment provided within University guidelines.
Indicative reading
Chomsky, N. (1957) Syntactic Structures, Mouton, ch. 6.
Chomsky, N. (1964) Current issues in linguistic theory, in J. Fodor and J.J Katz (eds.) The Structure of Language, Prentice Hall.
Diamond, J. (1997). Guns, Germs and Steel. Norton.
Longobardi, G. (2003). Methods in parametric linguistics and cognitive history. Linguistic Variation Yearbook.