Introduction to Language Science

lfial1530  2020-2021  Louvain-la-Neuve

Introduction to Language Science
Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information below is subject to change, in particular that concerning the teaching mode (presential, distance or in a comodal or hybrid format).
3 credits
30.0 h
Q2
Teacher(s)
Hambye Philippe; Simon Anne-Catherine;
Language
French
Prerequisites
None
Main themes
  • 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
Aims

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

1 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.
 
Content
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
Teaching methods

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information in this section is particularly likely to change.

Lectures (face-to-face, co-modality or distance) and questions / answers sessions (using Wooclap).
Individual training by students using the website "Parole&Langue": https://sites.uclouvain.be/paroleetlangue/web/
Tutoring: 4 tutoring sessions (participation optional, only upon registration) to prepare for the exam.
Evaluation methods

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information in this section is particularly likely to change.

Formative evaluation during the quadrimester (mock test).
Written exam during the June and September session (multiple choice questions).
Scores below 50% will not be rounded up to the next unit for the final score (e.g. a score of 19.5/40 will not be rounded up to 10/20).
Online resources
Moodle web site (Documents and Links ; Forums)
https://moodleucl.uclouvain.be/course/view.php?id=9423
Bibliography
Voir syllabus.
Teaching materials
  • Hambye, P. et A.C. Simon. 2020. Introduction aux sciences du langage (syllabus du cours LFIAL1530), Louvain-la-Neuve: DUC. (Disponible à la DUC)
Faculty or entity
FIAL


Programmes / formations proposant cette unité d'enseignement (UE)

Title of the programme
Sigle
Credits
Prerequisites
Aims
Bachelor in Ancient and Modern Languages and Literatures

Bachelor in Ancient Languages and Literatures : Classics

Bachelor in French and Romance Languages and Literatures : General

Bachelor in Ancient Languages and Literatures: Oriental Studies

Bachelor in Modern Languages and Literatures: German, Dutch and English

Minor in Linguistics

Bachelor in Modern Languages and Literatures : General

Bachelor in Psychology and Education : Speech and Language Therapy