Iniciación a la Lingüística Inglesa

 

1. Aims and contents

 

        This optional subject is intended as an introduction for those students who are interested in specializing in one of the most complex areas of the studies of English Philology, namely, the linguistic description of English.

        Unlike Lengua Inglesa I, with which this subject has a close relation, the aims are to lay the foundations for an appropriate method for the scientific analysis of language. To this end, as shown in the outline of the programme below, English is approached from an essentially practical point of view following a two-step procedure: firstly, the explanation and application of the basic notions and the terminology necessary for the analysis of language, and, secondly, the actual analysis of sample texts in English on the part of the students.

 

2. Outline of the programme

 

I. Introduction. Theoretical bases

         1. The description of language: aims, levels and features

        2. Diachronic and synchronic Linguistics

        3. Basic theoretical notions and terminology. Material and methods

        4. Criteria and tests for the analysis of language at word, phrase and clause level

 

II. Actual analysis of English morphology and syntax: formulation and confirmation of hypotheses

         1. Analysis of English at word level

                1.1. Membership of the word-class adjective

                1.2. Morphology (and syntax) of nouns

                1.3. Morphological features of verbs

        2. Analysis of English at phrase level

                2.1. Noun phrases: form and function

                2.2. Prepositional phrases: form and function

                2.3. Adverb phrases: form and function

        3. Analysis of English at clause level

                3.1. Clauses: a variety of realizations and functions

                3.2. A syntactic description of subordination

                3.3. Cleft-sentences: identification and description

 

3. Organization

 

Iniciación a la Lingüística Inglesa consists of 7.5 credits allocated to the first half of the academic year (October to February). The teaching schedule has, therefore, five hours of classes weekly. The first part of the outline of the programme above, the theoretical introduction, will be developed mainly in the form of lectures. For the second part of the programme, sample texts will be analysed in class both through written linguistic commentaries and spoken debates.

        A timetable of tutorials will be given out at the beginning of the year in order to offer the student further assistance.

 

4. Examinations

 

        Considering the aims and contents mentioned above, a positive assessment of the progress of the students in this subject requires:

 

i)                  The successful application of a correct method of linguistic analysis to an English text.

ii)                The correct expression of such analysis in English.

 

        There will be one final examination testing the above elements. At the end of the first term there will also be an optional ‘mock-exam’ as an orientation to the final examination. The participation of the students through the year will receive special attention.

 

5. Bibliographical references

 

Aarts, F. & J. Aarts. 1982. English Syntactic Structures. Oxford: Pergamon Press.

Broughton, G. 1990. Penguin English Grammar. A-Z Exercises for Advanced Students. Harmondsworth: Penguin.

Burton-Roberts, N. 1986. Analysing Sentences. An Introduction to English Syntax. London: Longman.

Crystal, D. 19852. Linguistics. Harmondsworth: Penguin.

Greenbaum, S. 1991. An Introduction to English Grammar. London: Longman.

Greenbaum, S. & R. Quirk. 1990. A Student’s Grammar of the English Language. London: Longman.

Leech, G., M. Deuchar & R. Hoogenraad. 1982. English Grammar for Today. A New Introduction. London: Macmillan.

Lyons, J. 1981. Language and Linguistics. An Introduction. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

McArthur, T. (ed.), 1992. The Oxford Companion to the English Language. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Quirk, R. et al. 1985. A Comprehensive Grammar of the English Language. London: Longman.

Trask, R.L. 1993. A Dictionary of Grammatical Terms in Linguistics. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul.

Trask, R.L. 1995. Language: the Basics. London: Routledge.

Young, D. 1984. Introducing English Grammar. London: Hutchinson.

Yule, G. 1996. The Study of Language. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

 

6. Personals

 

Teacher: Antonio Vicente Casas Pedrosa

Office number: D2-105

Phone number: 953 21 18 29

E-mail address: avcasas@ujaen.es

Mailbox: 210

Tutorials:   Wednesday: 8:30-9:30; 11:30-12:30

                Thursday: 8:30-10:30

                Friday: 11:30-13:30