Mekdela Amba University
College of Social Science and Humanities
Department of English Language and Literature
Course name: Introduction to Language and Linguistics Course code: EnLa1031 Credit Hours:3
Instructor: Samuel Legese (M.A)
Course Description
This course is an introduction to the nature of language and linguistics. It covers various
fundamental concepts in the discipline; nature, origin, characteristics and functions of language;
definition, branches, and scope of linguistics; linguistics as a science; micro- and macro-branches
of linguistics, basic concepts of first language acquisition and second/foreign language learning.
Course Objectives
Upon completing the course, students will be able to:
begin to examine language objectively;
demonstrate awareness of the general structure of linguistics as a discipline and an
understanding of the basic assumptions it make about language;
recognize the diversity of language systems and their fundamental similarities;
use the basic terminology of linguistic subfields, including phonetics,
phonology, morphology syntax and semantics;
describe the nature of human language and how it differs from other systems
of communication;
be aware of the similarities and differences between languages and dialects in a single
language; and
recognize myths (uniformed statements) about all languages.
Course Contents
1. The Nature of Human Language
1.1. What is Language?
1.2. Linguistic Competence and Performance
1.3. Characteristics (design features) of human language
1.4. The origin of human language
1.5. Functions of human language
2. Linguistics
2.1. Definition and Scope of linguistics
2.2. Linguistics as a science and an art
3. Micro Branches of linguistics
3.1. Phonetics
3.2. Phonology
3.3. Morphology
3.4. Syntax
3.5. Semantics
3.6. Pragmatics
4. Macro Branches of linguistics
4.1. Sociolinguistics
4.2. Applied linguistics
4.3. Psycholinguistics
4.4. Computational linguistics
4.5. Neuro –linguistics
4.6. Anthropological linguistics
4.7. Comparative and historical linguistics: (Diachronic and synchronic linguistics)
4.8. Documentary linguistics and Culture
5. Language Acquisition & Learning
5.1. Basic requirements & stages of first language acquisition
5.2. Difference between acquisition and learning
5.3. Acquisition & learning barriers
Evaluation
Test1 10% Test2 10% Assignment and presentation 15% Mid test 15% F. Exam 50%
References
Akmajian, A. et.as. 1986/2003. Linguistics. An Introduction to Language and Communication.
Cambridge: MIT
Hocket, E.1958. A course in Modern Linguistics. New York: Macmillan press
Fromkin, Victoria (1981/2007) An introduction to Language, 4th/7th edition. HoLT, Rinehart
and Winston, INC.
Wardhaugh, Ronald (1977). Introduction to linguistics, 2nd edition. McGraw-Hill Book
Company.
Yule, George (2006) The study of language, 3nd edition. CUP.
Lyons, Johon (1981) Language and linguistics: An introduction. CUP.
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