Models and methods in language description

2023/2024

Academic Year

ENG

Instruction in English

3

ECTS credits

Delivered at:

School of Linguistics

Course type:

Compulsory course

When:

2 year, 3 module

Instructor

Kozlov, Alexey

Course Syllabus

Abstract

The course is compulsory for the students of the MA program Linguistic theory and language description (NRU HSE). The aim of the course is to introduce the students to a variety of theoretical models employed in some major domains of linguistic inquiry, such as phonetics, phonology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics and corpus linguistics. The course is therefore divided into modules devoted to these domains. Each module is taught by a lecturer/lecturers, specializing in the corresponding domain.

Learning Objectives

• The course continues for two years. This programme is for the 1-st pars or the course and covers such themes as: instrumental phonetics and phonology, formal semantics and pragmatics and formal syntax (the Case Theory).
• The course is not introductive and requires basic kniwledge of linguistic theory and articulatory phonetics.
• This course familiarizes the students with the theoretical models and methods currently employed in various areas of language description and linguistic theorizing.

Expected Learning Outcomes

• The students are able to apply the main ideas of IP in their researches
• the students are able to interpret transcriptions and write them

Course Contents

• Instrumental phonetics
• Probabilistic language modelling
• Phonology: From Underlying to Surface Representation
• Linguistic Fieldwork
• Foundations of Semantics

Assessment Elements

• Detailed questions to the paper
  3 detailed questions to the paper
• Paper analysis
  a short summary of the parper for about 300 words
• Final quiz
• Bonus task
  a set of stimuli for field research
• Home task (Instrumental Phonetics)
• Exam (Instrumental Phonetics)
• Quiz 1 (Foundations of Semantics)
  quizzes based on two reading assignments
• Quiz 2 (Foundations of Semantics)
  quizzes based on reading assignments
• Written assignment (Phonology)
• Attendance
• Home task (Language Modelling)
• Paper presentation (Language Modelling)
• Home task (Foundations of Semantics)

Interim Assessment

• 2022/2023 2nd module
  0.7 * Exam (Instrumental Phonetics) + 0.3 * Home task (Instrumental Phonetics)
• 2022/2023 4th module
  0.112 * Attendance + 0.068 * Bonus task + 0.085 * Detailed questions to the paper + 0.102 * Final quiz + 0.19 * Home task (Language Modelling) + 0.085 * Paper analysis + 0.19 * Paper presentation (Language Modelling) + 0.168 * Written assignment (Phonology)
• 2023/2024 3rd module
  0.5 * Home task (Foundations of Semantics) + 0.25 * Quiz 1 (Foundations of Semantics) + 0.25 * Quiz 2 (Foundations of Semantics)

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• Paul H. Portner, & Barbara H. Partee. (2008). Formal Semantics : The Essential Readings. [N.p.]: Wiley-Blackwell. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=231496

Recommended Additional Bibliography

• Gussenhoven, C. (2004). The Phonology of Tone and Intonation. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=164285