ATH 180 Nature of Language

Lecture Hours: 3
Credits: 3

Introduces anthropological linguistics. Includes the history of linguistics and written language, descriptive linguistics, sociolinguistics, language and thought, language acquisition and the biology and physiology of language development. Also includes bilingualism and multiculturalism and written language development in both the old and new world.

Prerequisite: Placement into WR 115 (or higher), or completion of WR 090 (or higher) with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor.
Student Learning Outcomes:

Identify the subfields of anthropological linguistics and the role of linguistic science in cultural anthropology, archeology, and biological anthropology.
Explain the International Phonetic Alphabet (for English) and its use in ethnographic transcription. Construct descriptive linguistics structures.
Compare the relationship between language and culture and language and social context by describing the role of language in bilingualism, multi-linguisity, learning and gender classifications.
Evaluate the significance of key figures and concepts in the development of Greek, Latin, Chinese, and Mayan writing systems. Place these systems within the context of historic, gender, and comparative linguistics.
Describe the evolution of the foundational physiological structures necessary for speech production.

Content Outline

Language and Biology
- Physiological origins of language
- Language and the brain
- Language and child development
- anguage and non-human animals
History of Linguistics
- Relation of linguistics and Anthropology
Descriptive Linguistics
- Phonology, phonetics
- Morphology, syntax, semantics
- Transformational/generative grammar
Sociolinguistics
- Language and social context
- Discourse, language, emotion
- Language and politics
- Dialects
- Gender
- Class ethnicity, regional and other variations
- Pidgins and creoles
Historical Linguistics and Writing
- Temporal and spatial language Change
- Development of old and new world writing systems including the international phonetic alphabet
Language and Culture
- Cognition
- Sapir-whorf
Bilingualism and Multiculturalism