Models and methods in language description

Master 2023/2024

Type: Compulsory course (Linguistic Theory and Language Description)

Area of studies: Fundamental and Applied Linguistics

Delivered by: School of Linguistics

Where: Faculty of Humanities

When: 1 year, 3, 4 module

Mode of studies: offline

Open to: students of one campus

Instructors: George Moroz, Daria Popova, Alina Russkih, Svetlana Toldova

Master’s programme: Linguistic Theory and Language Description

Language: English

ECTS credits: 6

Contact hours: 60

Full Syllabus

Abstract

The course is compulsory for the students of the MA program Linguistic theory and language description (NRU HSE). The aim of the course is to introduce the students to a variety of theoretical models employed in some major domains of linguistic inquiry, such as phonetics, phonology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics and corpus linguistics. The course is therefore divided into modules devoted to these domains. Each module is taught by a lecturer/lecturers, specializing in the corresponding domain.

Learning Objectives

The course continues for two years. This programme is for the 1-st pars or the course and covers such themes as: instrumental phonetics and phonology, formal semantics and pragmatics and formal syntax (the Case Theory).
The course is not introductive and requires basic kniwledge of linguistic theory and articulatory phonetics.
This course familiarizes the students with the theoretical models and methods currently employed in various areas of language description and linguistic theorizing.

Expected Learning Outcomes

The students are able to apply the main ideas of IP in their researches
the students are able to interpret transcriptions and write them

Course Contents

Instrumental phonetics
Probabilistic language modelling
Phonology: From Underlying to Surface Representation
Linguistic Fieldwork
Foundations of Semantics

Assessment Elements

Home assignment (Instrumental Phonetics)
Exam (Instrumental Phonetics)
Home task (Language Modelling)
Paper presentation (Language Modelling)
Detailed questions to the paper (Linguistic Fieldwork)
3 detailed questions to the parper
Paper analysis (Linguistic Fieldwork)
a short summary of the parper for about 300 words
Final test (Linguistic Fieldwork)
Bonus task (Linguistic Fieldwork)
a set of stimuli for field research
Quiz 1 (Foundations of Semantics)
Quiz 2 (Foundations of Semantics)
Home task (Foundations of Semantics)

Interim Assessment

2023/2024 3rd module
0.7 * Exam (Instrumental Phonetics) + 0.7 * Exam (Instrumental Phonetics) + 0.3 * Home assignment (Instrumental Phonetics) + 0.3 * Home assignment (Instrumental Phonetics)
2023/2024 4th module
0.1 * Bonus task (Linguistic Fieldwork) + 0.1 * Bonus task (Linguistic Fieldwork) + 0.14 * Detailed questions to the paper (Linguistic Fieldwork) + 0.14 * Detailed questions to the paper (Linguistic Fieldwork) + 0.17 * Final test (Linguistic Fieldwork) + 0.17 * Final test (Linguistic Fieldwork) + 0.3 * Home task (Language Modelling) + 0.3 * Home task (Language Modelling) + 0.14 * Paper analysis (Linguistic Fieldwork) + 0.14 * Paper analysis (Linguistic Fieldwork) + 0.15 * Paper presentation (Language Modelling) + 0.15 * Paper presentation (Language Modelling)
2024/2025 3rd module
0.5 * Home task (Foundations of Semantics) + 0.5 * Home task (Foundations of Semantics) + 0.25 * Quiz 1 (Foundations of Semantics) + 0.25 * Quiz 1 (Foundations of Semantics) + 0.25 * Quiz 2 (Foundations of Semantics) + 0.25 * Quiz 2 (Foundations of Semantics)

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

Paul H. Portner, & Barbara H. Partee. (2008). Formal Semantics : The Essential Readings. [N.p.]: Wiley-Blackwell. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=231496

Recommended Additional Bibliography

Gussenhoven, C. (2004). The Phonology of Tone and Intonation. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=164285

Course Syllabus