LING 450
Introduction to Historical-Comparative Linguistics
Linguistics
College of Humanities
Course Description
Theory and method of language change via comparison of daughter languages and reconstruction of their ancestral language: phonological, morphological, semantic, and lexical.
When Taught
Fall and Winter
Grade Rule
Grade Rule 8: A, B, C, D, E, I (Standard grade rule)
Min
3
Fixed
3
Fixed
3
Fixed
0
Title
Explanation of Changes
Learning Outcome
Students will be able to explain how and why linguistic changes occur in phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and the lexicon.
Title
Comparitive method and Internal Reconstruction
Learning Outcome
Students will be able to apply the comparative method and internal reconstruction in order to hypothesize earlier states of a language and to examine the relatedness of different languages.
Title
Factors that affect Linguistic Change
Learning Outcome
Students will be able to explain how linguistic change is affected by language contact and psychological, physical, social, and cultural factors.
Title
Using Corpora, Texts, and Lexicons
Learning Outcome
Students will be able to use corpora, texts, and lexicons in order to obtain data on, and answer questions about, language change.
