Indo-European Comparative Linguistics

Teacher(s)

Seldeslachts Herman;

Language

French

Main themes

An introduction to historic and comparative linguistics, as applied to Indo-european.
This course deals with the following themes:
1. The history of the comparative study of the Indo-European languages;
2. The principals and methods of genetic comparison;
3. The phonological system of proto-Indo-European;
4. Accenting and vocalic alternation;
5. Word structure (root, suffix, ending);
6. Nominal and verbal morphology.

Aims

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	At the end of this course, the student will be familiar with the objectives and methods of linguistic comparison (especially as concerns the reconstruction of proto-languages), the theoretical basis of diachronic linguistics and the major results of the comparative grammar of Indo-European languages (in the domains of phonology, morphology and etymology).

Content

A survey of the Indo-European languages and subgroups. Definition of the theory of genetic affinity. Procedures and objectives of linguistic reconstruction. Reconstruction of proto-Indo-European: phonological system (including the theory of glottals), morpho-phonological system (accent and apophony) and  the morphological system (word structure).

Teaching methods

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

Lectures on the theory alternating with practical applications (exercises in reconstruction and etymology).

Evaluation methods

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

Oral exam.

Other information

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Bibliography

- E. Tichy, A Survey of Proto-Indo-European, Bremen, 2006.
- J. Clackson, Indo-European Linguistics: an Introduction, Cambridge, 2007.
- M. Meier-Brügger, Indogermanische Sprachwissenschaft, Berlin, 9e éd., 2010.
- B.W. Fortson IV, Indo-European Language and Culture: an Introduction, Oxford, 2e éd., 2010.

Faculty or entity

GLOR