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:
•
•
Unpossible English words:
•
•
plab forch beeg shump staz hibber crong trab
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
90%
80%
Course Grade %
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
0
5
10
15
Total Quick Writes
20
25
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?