Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE LIN3010

 
TITLE Language Typology and Universals

 
UM LEVEL 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 6

 
ECTS CREDITS 4

 
DEPARTMENT Institute of Linguistics and Language Technology

 
DESCRIPTION Prerequisites:
LIN1070, LIN1080 or equivalent

Objectives

This course is aimed at familiarising the student with research on language typology and with the study of language universals. The student needs to have a knowledge of basic linguistic terms and concepts.

Content

The course presents an overview of the major differences (typology) and similarities (universality) among languages, in particular within the core areas of linguistic analysis, namely phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics. The concepts of type and universality in linguistics are discussed critically, and the linguistic evidence for language universals and language types found in the literature is explored in detail.

Reading List

- Comrie, B. 1981. Language Universals and Linguistic Typology. Chicago: Blackwell
- Croft, W. 1991. Universals and Typology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
- Greenberg, J. H., C. Fergusen, and E. Moravcsik. (eds.) 1978. Universals of Human Language. 4 volumes. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press
- Mallinson, G., and B. Blake. 1981. Linguistic Typology. Amsterdam: North-Holland
- Whaley, L. J. 1997. Introduction to Typology: The unity and diversity of language. London: Sage

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Assignment SEM1 Yes 100%

 
LECTURER/S Ray Fabri

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit