175-105 Introduction to Language

Formerly available as 175-004. Students who have completed 175-004 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

This subject is a practical introduction to the nature of human language which gives a conceptual framework for thinking about and discussing language and provides training in basic skills of analysis and description applicable to any language. Central areas of linguistics will be covered, including language in society, speech sounds, word structure, sentence structure, meaning, conversation, language learning, language change, language and the brain, computational linguistics, writing systems, and Australian English.

• be able to communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically;

• develop computer literacy;

• gain skill in observation and attention to detail;

• develop skill in oral language performance;

• develop skill in critical thinking and analysis.

Problem-solving assignments totalling 2000 words 50% (due throughout the semester) and a 2-hour examination 50% (due at the end of semester).

• O'Grady, Dobrovolsky and Katamba (eds), Contemporary Linguistics: An Introduction. (3rd ed) Longman.