ANT 215 - The Nature of Language

3 Credits, 3 Contact Hours
3 lecture periods 0 lab periods

Introduction to anthropological linguistics. Includes the history of linguistics, descriptive linguistics, sociolinguistics, and language and culture. Also includes key topics in linguistics, including language acquisition, cultural diversity, language and education, and ethical issues.

2.       Describe research methods and theoretical perspectives used in anthropological linguistics.

3.       Examine cultural diversity through ethnographic case studies in anthropological linguistics.

4.       Identify ethical issues in anthropological linguistics.

5.       Present the results of research in anthropological linguistics.

1. Recognize key moments in the history of linguistics.
2. Define descriptive linguistics and topics in descriptive linguistics.
3. Define sociolinguistics and identify areas of interest to scholars of language in the social context.
4. Identify the relationship between language and culture.
5. Discuss models of language acquisition in cultural contexts.
6. Identify key issues in language and education.

1. History of Linguistics/Relation of Linguistics and Anthropology
2. Descriptive Linguistics
   1. Phonology, Phonetics
   2. Morphology, Syntax, Semantics
   3. Transformational/Generative Grammar
3. Socio-Linguistics
   1. Language and Social Context
   2. Discourse, Language, Emotion
   3. Language and Politics
   4. Dialects
   5. Gender, Class, Ethnicity, Regional and Other Variations
   6. Pidgins and Creoles
   7. Code-Switching
   8. Ethical Issues
4. Language and Culture
   1. Cognition
   2. Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis
   3. Language and the Cultural Construction of Emotion
   4. Multiple Languages and Culture
   5. Language Change
   6.       Language and Writing
5. Language Acquisition
   1. First, and multiple language acquisition
6. Language and Education
   1. Key Issues in Language and Education