Linguistics 201:Introduction to Linguistics

Instructor: Steve Winters

TA: Jamison Cooper-Leavitt

PASS Leader: Kirsty Gruber

Meets: EEEL 210

MWF 2:00-2:50

What is linguistics?• Linguistics is the scientific study of language.

• “Science” is a fancy word for knowledge.

• from Latin: sciens “having knowledge”

• Q: What do we know about language?

Linguists know (part 1):• Language is biological.

• Language is uniquely human.

• Every child acquires language.

• Every human society uses language for communication.

• All languages share certain features in common

• ...and there are certain features not found in any language.

• Language forms a part of your brain.

Linguists know (part 2):• Language is very complex.

• Every language has a system of rules for constructing syllables, words and sentences.

• = the “grammar” of that language

• “Knowing” a language means: knowing these rules

• This “knowledge” is mostly sub-conscious

• You don’t know what you know!

• Linguists try to figure out what these rules are.

Examples• Possible English words:

• plab forch beeg shump staz hibber crong trab

• Unpossible English words:

• fmort glsik rmak msile vlash zpin ngotch ptud

• Some acceptable English sentences:

1. Who do you think Tom is shouting at?

2. Who do you think that Tom is shouting at?

3. Who do you think is shouting at Harry?

• An unacceptable English sentence:

4. *Who do you think that is shouting at Harry?

Our (Scientific) Method• Be observant!

• Language is all around you.

• …and people use it all the time.

• Have an open mind.

• All languages are equally complex.

• All languages are systematic (= rule-based).

• (Note: Linguistics is not about learning how to “speak the right way.”)

• Look for generalizations.

• Finding general truths about language is the way we figure out what the rules of language are.

Linguists know (part 3):• Language is creative.

• It enables you to say (and think) things that you have never heard before.

• “chillax”

• “His facebook picture makes me lulz.”

• “I’m going to re-message him.”

• “Totes!”

• “gifting”

• “That’s sick!”

• Language is not just learned from the environment.

• Language is (partly) innate!

Course Requirements• Homeworks -- best 4 of 5 30%

• Mid-term Exam 30%

• Final Exam 30%

• Quick Writes 10%

• Grades will be posted to the class website on the compass system:

• https://blackboard.ucalgary.ca/webapps/login/

• The syllabus, homeworks, lecture notes, handouts, quick writes, and other links will be posted to:

https://webdisk.ucalgary.ca/~swinters/public_html/ling201/index.html

Why are we here?y = 0.0207x + 0.2462

R2 = 0.4341

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Course Texts• Required:

• Contemporary Linguistic Analysis, William O'Grady & John Archibald, eds. (2011), 7th ed.

• Also recommended:

• Study Guide to Contemporary Linguistic Analysis. Teresa Merrells & Anna L. Moro (2011).

• The text has its own website:

• http://www.pearsoncanada.ca/ogrady/

• There is also an answer key that comes along with the book.

• (and can be found on the website, as well)

The Future• On Wednesday, we will discuss:

• human language and animal communication

• more on language “knowledge”

• Check out:

• Chapter 16.1-16.4 of the textbook

• (available on the course website)

• Any questions?