Introduction to Language Science [ LFIAL1530 ]

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• Human language as compared to other communication systems ;
• Levels of linguistic analysis (phonetics-phonology, morphology, lexis, syntax and pragmatics);
• Language universals and the variety of languages

This introductory course aims at explaining the functioning of language, that is the conditions under which human speech activity takes place, the way it is structured and governed. By the end of the course, students will be able to use the specific metalanguage of linguistics in a way to describe any language and explain its internal as well as external functioning (units and structures; historical, social and geographical variation). On the other hand, students will have developed the ability to analyze and interpret simple linguistics problems.

The contribution of this Teaching Unit to the development and command of the skills and learning outcomes of the programme(s) can be accessed at the end of this sheet, in the section entitled “Programmes/courses offering this Teaching Unit”.

Written exam

Lectures and questions / answers sessions.
Individual training by students using the DVD "Parole&Langue".

The course will successively address the following themes:

• Undertstanding the functioning of language
• The diverse forms of language (natural languages and other communication systems)
• From "words" to morphological and lexical units
• From "sounds" to phonological units
• Syntactic units
• From the language faculty to the variety of languages
• Pragmatics or how to interpret language

Handout + DVD 'Parole&Langue. Parcours et exercices de linguistiques' (Simon & Bachy 2009).

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