552.241 (20S) Topics in Theoretical Linguistics: Reference and definiteness
Overview
- Lecturer
- LV Nummer Südostverbund ENI02002UL
- Course title german Topics in Theoretical Linguistics: Reference and definiteness
- Type Proseminar (continuous assessment course )
- Hours per Week 2.0
- ECTS credits 3.0
- Registrations 8 (25 max.)
- Organisational unit
- Language of instruction English
- Course begins on 05.03.2020
- eLearning Go to Moodle course
Time and place
Course Information
Intended learning outcomes
The main objective of the course is to enhance students' understanding of the relationship between a linguistic expression (a nominal phrase) and the entity it refers to. At the end of the course, students should be able to identify the basic (sub)types of reference and the ways of establishing reference, as well as justify the use of particular NP types as signals of reference. Ultimately, this should lead to a better understanding of the role of the articles and other determiners, also in cases where their use in English may differ from that in German (presumably most students are (native) speakers of German).
Teaching methodology including the use of eLearning tools
The course is intended as a proseminar, combining theory and practical work encouraging active participation of all students. There will be homework in the form of preparing short (5 minutes') presentations. Students will also be required to study one or two scholarly papers as part of their homework.
Course content
Inhalt/e
The content of the course will range over the following topics:
1. The notion of reference. The relationship between a linguistic expression, its meaning and its referent.
2. Types of reference: definite, indefinite, generic. Specificity and non-specificity. The notion of uniqueness.
3. Establishing reference: exophoric (e.g. deictic) and endophoric (anaphoric, cataphoric) reference.
4. Nominal phrases as referring expressions. The function of determiners (the articles, pronouns, genitive NPs).
5. (In)Definite NPs as signals of the referent's (in)accessibility for the hearer. The role of shared knowledge between the speaker and the hearer.
6. The origin and the role of the articles. The use of the articles in English (possibly incomparison with German).
7. Generic reference and the ways of expressing it in English (possibly in comparison with German).
8. Inherent uniqueness: reference with proper names.
Literature
Heine, Bernd. 1997. Cognitive Foundations of Grammar. New York: Oxford University Press. (Chapter 4)
Langacker, Ronald W. 2000. Grammar and Conceptualization. Berlin and New York: Mouton de Gruyter. (Chapters 8 & 9)
Lyons, Christopher. 1999. Definiteness. Cambridge University Press.
Radden, Günter, and René Dirven. 2007. Cognitive English Grammar. Amsterdam and Philadelphia: John Benjamins. (Chapters 4—7)
Reference grammars of English:
Biber, D., Finegan, E., Johansson, S., Conrad, S., and G. Leech. 1999. Longman Grammar of Spoken and Written English. Harlow: Pearson Education Limited.
Huddleston, G., and G. Pullum. 2002. The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Quirk, R., Greenbaum, S., Leech, G., and J. Svartvik. 1985. A Comprehensive Grammar of the English Language. London: Longman.
Examination information
Examination methodology
A seminar paper. (No exam.)
Examination topic(s)
A theory-based analysis of referential expressions in a passage of text of one's own choice (300-400 words).There should be a short theoretical introduction preceding the analysis. Alternatively, the student may choose to write on a specific topic pertainingto reference.
Assessment criteria / Standards of assessment for examinations
Clarity of presentation, coherence, accurate Analysis.
Grading scheme
Grade / Grade grading schemePosition in the curriculum
- Bachelor-Lehramtsstudium Bachelor Unterrichtsfach Englisch
(SKZ: 407, Version: 19W.2)
-
Subject: Topics in Linguistics I
(Compulsory subject)
-
ENI.002 Topics in Theoretical Linguistics (
2.0h PS / 3.0 ECTS)
- 552.241 Topics in Theoretical Linguistics: Reference and definiteness (2.0h PS / 3.0 ECTS) Absolvierung im 3., 4. Semester empfohlen
-
ENI.002 Topics in Theoretical Linguistics (
2.0h PS / 3.0 ECTS)
-
Subject: Topics in Linguistics I
(Compulsory subject)
- Bachelor's degree programme English and American Studies
(SKZ: 612, Version: 15W.3)
-
Subject: Fachliches Grund- und Aufbaustudium Linguistics
(Compulsory subject)
-
Module: Aufbaustudium Linguistics
-
4.3 Topics in Theoretical Linguistics (
0.0h PS / 3.0 ECTS)
- 552.241 Topics in Theoretical Linguistics: Reference and definiteness (2.0h PS / 3.0 ECTS) Absolvierung im 3. Semester empfohlen
-
4.3 Topics in Theoretical Linguistics (
0.0h PS / 3.0 ECTS)
-
Module: Aufbaustudium Linguistics
-
Subject: Fachliches Grund- und Aufbaustudium Linguistics
(Compulsory subject)