SLS 441 (70004, Fall 2007):
Language Concepts for Second Language Learning and Teaching
Instructor:
Robert Bley-Vroman
vroman@hawaii.edu
Day & Time: Tuesday & Thursday, 1:30-2:45
Room:
I.
Moore 106
Office: Moore Hall 404
Phone: 956-5885
Hours: Tuesday, Thursday
10:30-11:30
(and by appointment)
General Description and Aims:
This course is an introduction to the study of language, with particular attention to the structure of English. It
will examine the component parts of language, namely, phonetics and phonology (the sound system),
morphology (the internal structure of words), syntax (the structure of sentences), and semantics and
pragmatics (meaning) as well as touch on other linguistic topics (e.g. language typology, native language
acquisition, etc.). While emphasis will be given to the structure of English, especially its morphosyntax, data
from other languages will also be looked at. The overall goals are (a) to become familiar with the key
concepts and terminology needed to describe and analyze language; (b) to gain a basic understanding of the
way language works; (c) to appreciate how languages differ (and how they're the same); and (d) to help in
your reading of the primary (second language acquisition) literature.
The course will be a combination of assigned readings, lectures, exercises, small group discussions and
individual/group projects. No prior knowledge of linguistics or language description is assumed.
II.
Required Texts:
1. Bergmann, Anouschka, Kathleen Currie Hall & Sharon Miriam Ross, eds. 2007. Language Files:
Materials for an Introduction to Language and Linguistics, 10th edition. Columbus: Ohio State
University Press. (LF)
2. O'Grady, William, John Archibald, Mark Aronoff & Janie Rees-Miller, eds. 2005. Contemporary
Linguistics: An Introduction, 5th edition. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's. (CL)
3. Pinker, Steven. 1994. The Language Instinct. New York: HarperCollins.
III. Course Requirements and Assessment:
1. Regular attendance, reading and class participation
Be sure to complete the readings by the date due, so that you get the most out of
the lectures.
2. Homework/Problem sets (good, satisfactory, poor)
Homework is due on the date specified; it will be accepted one class day late,
lowered by one level; after that, it will be accepted but will receive no credit.
3. Language presentation (good, satisfactory, poor)
This is to be an oral presentation on a language you do not know, summarizing at
least one aspect of its phonetics/phonology, morphology and syntax.
4. Three tests (20% each)
5. NB: There is no opportunity of extra credit to raise one's grade.
Grading:
100-97%=A+; 96-93%=A; 92-90%=A–; 89-87%=B+; 86-83%=B; 82-80%=B–; 79-77%=C+;
76-73%=C; 72-70%=C–; 69-67%=D+; 66-63%=D; 62-60%=D–; < 60%=F
(10%)
(15%)
(15%)
(60%)
R. Bley-Vroman, SLS 441, Fall 2007
Syllabus, p. 2 of 4
IV. Syllabus (subject to change):
Date
Topic
Week 1
21 Aug. Introduction to course
Reading
Homework
23 Aug. Language: A preview
CL: pp. 1-11
LF: 1.2-1.4 (pp. 6-23)
Pinker: 1 (pp. 1-11)
pp. 12-13: 3-6
CL: pp. 15-31
LF: 2.0-2.2 (pp. 38-53)
Pinker: 12 (pp. 382-418)
pp. 52-53: 2-6
p. 88: 1; p. 91: 18
CL: pp. 32-37
LF: 2.3 (pp. 54-58)
p. 53: 7-9, 10a-h
p. 89; pp. 91-92: 19, 20b-z, 22
CL: pp. 37-51
p. 54: 12, 15
Week 2
28 Aug. Phonetics
[27 August: last day to
withdraw without a 'W']
30 Aug. Cont.
Week 3
4 Sept. Cont.
6 Sept. Cont.
Pinker: 2 (pp. 12-43)
Week 4
11 Sept. Phonology
13 Sept. Cont.
Week 5
18 Sept. Cont.
CL: pp. 57-72; 99-101
LF: 3.0-3.1 (pp. 100-08)
pp. 101-02: 1-3
p. 134: 1
CL: pp. 72-83
LF: 3.5 (pp. 127-33)
pp. 103-04: 6, 7
pp. 141-44: 29, 33, 38
CL: pp. 83-99
LF: 3.2 (pp. 109-16)
Pinker: 6 (pp. 153-89)
pp. 106-07: 14
pp. 135-37: 7-9, 11
20 Sept. Catch-up for weeks 1-5. Come to class with specific questions/areas to focus on.
Week 6
25 Sept. Test 1
27 Sept. Morphology
CL: pp. 111-22; 140-42
LF: 4.0-4.1; 4.4 (pp. 148-54; 168-71)
Pinker: 5 (pp. 119-52)
pp. 142-43: 1-5
pp. 176-77: 4; p. 182: 24a-h
R. Bley-Vroman, SLS 441, Fall 2007
Week 7
2 Oct. Cont.
4 Oct.
Cont.
Week 8
9 Oct. Syntax
11 Oct. Cont.
Week 9
16 Oct. Syntax (cont.)
18 Oct. Cont.
[19 October: last day to
withdraw (with a 'W')]
Syllabus, p. 3 of 4
CL: pp. 123-33
LF: 4.2 (pp. 155-62)
Pinker: 3 (pp. 44-73)
pp. 143-44: 6, 8a-l, 11
p. 176: 2
CL: pp. 133-40
LF: 4.5 (pp. 172-75)
pp. 145-47: 14, 16, 19
pp. 183-89: 30, 38, 41
CL: pp. 151-161
LF: 5.0-5.1; 5.3-5.4 (pp. 194-98; 204-15)
Pinker: 4 (pp. 74-118)
pp. 195-96: 2, 4-5
pp. 223-27: 2, 11, 17, 21
CL: pp. 161-72; 190-94
LF: 5.5 (pp. 216-20)
pp. 196-97: 6-9
CL: pp. 172-82
Pinker: 7 (pp. 190-230)
p. 197: 10-12
handout exercise
CL: pp. 182-89
p. 198: 13-14
Week 10
23 Oct. Catch-up for weeks 6-9. Come to class with specific questions/areas to focus on.
25 Oct. Presentation Discussion
Week 11
30 Oct. Test 2
1 Nov.
Semantics
Week 12
6 Nov. Cont.
8 Nov.
Language typology
CL: pp. 201-17
LF: 5.2; 6.0-6.1 (pp. 199-203; 232-34)
Pinker: 10 (pp. 302-39)
pp. 236-39: 1-3, 9
p. 224: 6
CL: pp. 217-36
LF: 6.2; 6.4 (pp. 235-41; 248-51)
pp. 239-41: 11-12, 14-17
CL: pp. 291-313
LF: 5.6 (pp. 221-22)
Pinker: 8 (pp. 231-64)
pp. 322-24: 1, 3, 4, 6
pp. 227-29: 26
R. Bley-Vroman, SLS 441, Fall 2007
Syllabus, p. 4 of 4
Week 13
13 Nov. L1 acquisition
15 Nov. Cont.
CL: pp. 361-69
LF: 8.0-8.1; 8.4 (pp. 310-18; 333-38)
Pinker: 9 (pp. 265-301)
CL: pp. 369-81
LF: 8.5 (pp. 339-42)
Pinker: 11 (pp. 340-81)
pp. 394-95: 1-4
handout exercise
CL: pp. 381-94
Pinker: 13 (pp. 419-48)
p. 397: 14-16
pp. 395-96: 8, 10-12
p. 347: 14
Week 14
20 Nov. Cont.
22 Nov. Holiday (Thanksgiving)
Week 15
27 Nov. Student presentations (in pairs/trios)
29 Nov. Student presentations (in pairs/trios)
Week 16
4 Dec. Student presentations (in pairs/trios)
6 Dec.
Catch-up for weeks 11-14. Come to class with specific questions/areas to focus on.
The final exam is scheduled for Thursday, 13 December, 9:45-11:45.
I encourage you to come talk with me about aspects we cover
(either in the readings or in class)
that you find difficult––or particularly interesting!