Linguistic Studies I

Code: LLT10749L

6 ECTS

Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours

Scientific Area: Linguistics

Teaching languages: Portuguese

Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese, English

Regime de Frequência: Presencial

Presentation

Linguistic Studies I is a discipline that aims to provide students with a comprehensive view of the phenomenon of language, as a characteristic of the human species.

Sustainable Development Goals

Educação de qualidade - Assegurar a educação inclusiva, e equitativa e de qualidade, e promover oportunidades de aprendizagem ao longo da vida para todos.

Learning Goals

Linguistic Studies I has as as its main objective to reveal verbal human language, among other communication systems, in their nature, properties and functions.
By the end of the semester, students should be able to recognize the universal properties underlying all natural languages and the general mechanisms of oral and written language functioning.

1. Linguistics: science of language.
2. Language: origin, characteristics and exclusivity.
3. Languages: structure and functioning.
4. Psychophysiological and cognitive aspects of verbal language.
4.1. Acquisition of language: theories and phases.
4.2. Language and brain: lateralization of human language.
5. Orality and writting.
5.1. Orality: main characteristics.
5.1.1. The sounds of speech.
5.1.1.1.The speech apparatus: the production of speech sounds.
5.1.1.2. Description and classification of speech sounds.
5.1.1.3. Transcription of speech sounds: the phonetic alphabet.
5.1.1.4. Transmission and reception of speech sounds.
5.2. Writing: key features.
5.2.1. Writing systems: from pictography to alphabet.
6. Unity and diversity in natural languages.
6.1. Linguistic variation.
6.1.1. Standard and variation.
6.1.2. Dialectal, social and individual variation.
6.2. Linguistic change.
6.2.1. Standard and change.
6.2.2. Phonetico-phonological, morphological, syntactic and semantic change.

Teaching Methods

Theoretical exposition using power-point presentations and / or other instruments considered appropriate to the dynamization of the classes and discussion with the active participation of students in the different topics of the program. Students may be required to present small oral presentations, either individually or in groups. The advanced study of subjects is done by means of reading assignments and consultation of specific web sites. Tutorials will provide methodological and bibliographical references to help with individual essays and the execution of tasks. Promoting the students autonomy, tutorials also provide the students with personalized guidance taking into consideration their specific needs/ competences.
Assessment methods: According to the system in use at the University of Évora and in the Department of Linguistics and Literatures, which supervises the course.

- Continuous evaluation: 2 tests or a written work and a frequency test, valued in 50% each.
- Final - 100%