Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE SPA2015

 
TITLE An Introduction to Linguistics

 
UM LEVEL 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 5

 
ECTS CREDITS 4

 
DEPARTMENT Spanish and Latin American Studies

 
DESCRIPTION El objetivo de esta asignatura es establecer las bases teóricas generales para el estudio e investigación de las lenguas. Después de un estudio inicial y general sobre la naturaleza y constitución del lenguaje humano (el lenguaje y cerebro, la especificidad del lenguaje humano, las funciones del lenguaje...), se analizará la cuestión de la unidad y diversidad de las lenguas (tipología y universales lingüísticos, clasificación de las lenguas del mundo, etc.) y la naturaleza y mecanismos del cambio lingüístico. Se tratarán cuestiones más específicas como la dimensión fónica de las lenguas (Fonética y Fonología), la estructura de la palabra (Morfología), el análisis de la estructura de la oración (Sintaxis) y el análisis del significado (Semántica).

The aim of this study-unit is to establish the general theoretical basis for the study of and research into languages. After an initial consideration of the general nature and makeup of human language (the language and the brain, the specificity of human language, the functions of language, and so on), it will discuss the issue of the unity and diversity of languages (typology and universal linguistic classification of languages in the world, etc..) and the nature and mechanisms of linguistic change. Subsequently more specific issues will be addressed including matters such as the phonic dimension of languages (phonetics and phonology), word structure (morphology), the analysis of sentence structure (syntax) and the analysis of meaning (semantics).

Study-unit Aims:

- Familiarizar a los estudiantes con las bases teóricas generales del estudio e investigación de las lenguas.
- Exponer las características del lenguaje humano entendido como sistema de comunicación.
- Presentar sistemas lingüísticos en contraste indicando los diferentes mecanismos lingüísticos que se utilizan en diferentes lenguas para representar contenidos similares.

- To familiarize students with the general theoretical study and research of languages.
- Outline the characteristics of human language understood as a communication system.
- Present contrasting linguistic indicating the different linguistic mechanisms used in different languages to represent similar content.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:
- describir la naturaleza y constitución del lenguaje humano en el marco de las investigaciones del lenguaje;
- explicar los procesos cerebrales que parecen intervenir en el proceso de adquisición y uso del lenguaje;
- explicar la tipología de las lenguas y los universales lingüísticos partiendo de una clasificación de las lenguas del mundo.

- Describe the nature and makeup of human language in the context of language research;
- To explain the mental processes that would seem to be involved in the process of language acquisition and use;
- Explain the typology of languages and universal characteristics based on a classification of the world's languages.

2. Skills:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:
- reconocer y analizar la dimensión fónica, morfológica, sintáctica y semántica de una lengua;
- reconocer las áreas cerebrales relacionadas con el lenguaje;
- enumerar la diversidad de estructuraciones lingüísticas de la realidad extralingüística.

- Recognize and analyze the phonic, morphological, syntactic and semantic dimensions of language;
- Analyze the areas of the brain related to language;
- List the diversity of linguistic structure in extra-linguistic reality.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

- Moreno Cabrera, J. C. (2002) Curso universitario de lingüística general. Madrid: Síntesis.
- Yule, G. (2007) El lenguaje. Madrid: Akal.

 
ADDITIONAL NOTES Pre-requisite: A Level Spanish or equivalent

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Classwork SEM1 No 40%
Examination (2 Hours) SEM1 Yes 60%

 
LECTURER/S Anita Zerafa

 

 
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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