Basic Research Methods in Linguistics (02-13 Aug.)

Module content

• Learn how to present and interpret linguistic data, linguistic argumentation, and writing like a linguist
• Analyse datasets from different areas of linguistics (phonology, morphology, syntax)
• Discuss working with informants and with small questionnaires

Language is an essential feature of all humans that distinguishes us from all other known species. The study of human languages is not only the study of a central social skill, but it also provides a unique window to the human mind.

In this course students will get an overview of the basic toolkit in linguistics research: presenting and interpreting linguistic data, linguistic argumentation, and writing like a linguist.  We will analyze datasets from different areas of linguistics (phonology, morphology, syntax) and practice interpreting data from languages we do not speak. We will also discuss how our own introspective judgments and examples in the literature can be supplemented by working with informants and with small questionnaires.  The course will comprise lectures, group work and problem sets.