Introduction to Linguistics 2024 PDF

Welcome Introduction to Linguistics PD Dr. Dieter Thoma, Dr. Pernelle Lorette [email protected] plorette@uni-ma...

Welcome Introduction to Linguistics PD Dr. Dieter Thoma, Dr. Pernelle Lorette [email protected] [email protected] Class 1: Introduction Thoma & Lorette ANG 301 Introduction to Linguistics HWS 2024 1 Contact info PD Dr. Dieter Thoma Akademischer Oberrat Lehrstuhl für Psycholinguistik, Anglistik I Office Hour: - Open and regular: Tue 14:00 – 15:00 in Schloss EW 293 or via Zoom - Or upon individual appointment per Email E-mail: [email protected] Phone: +49 621 181-2350 Education: Diplom / MSc in Business Education (Business Administration, English, Education), Universities of Mannheim (D) & Swansea (UK) Dr. phil. in English Linguistics & Psycholinguistics, University of Mannheim Habilitation in English Linguistics & Psycholinguistics, University of Mannheim Thoma & Lorette ANG 301 Introduction to Linguistics HWS 2024 3 Bleibt auf dem Laufenden Jetzt folgen! Contact info Dr. Pernelle Lorette Academic Staff Member and Postdoctoral Researcher Lehrstuhl für Psycholinguistik, Anglistik I Office Hour: - Open and regular: Thu 11.00 – 12.00 in Schloss EW 295 or via Zoom - Or upon individual appointment per E-mail E-mail: [email protected] Education: B.A. in Dutch & German Languages and Literatures, University of Namur (Belgium) M.A. in Linguistics, University of Utrecht (Netherlands) Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics and Communication, Birkbeck University of London (U.K.) Thoma & Lorette ANG 301 Introduction to Linguistics HWS 2024 6 Introductory example Who are the Marmalos? And who are the Kekekes? Thoma & Lorette ANG 301 Introduction to Linguistics HWS 2024 7 Agenda 1. Aims and structure of this course 2. General introduction: Research questions of Linguistics Thoma & Lorette ANG 301 Introduction to Linguistics HWS 2024 8  Part 1 Aims, organization and structure of the Introduction to Linguistics Thoma & Lorette ANG 301 Introduction to Linguistics HWS 2024 9 Aims of this course Introduction to - Three central areas of linguistics 1. Sounds (Phonetics & Phonology) 2. Words (Morphology & [some] Semantics) 3. Sentences (Syntax) - Central analytical concepts in linguistics - Categories and tools of linguistic analysis Thoma & Lorette ANG 301 Introduction to Linguistics HWS 2024 10 By the end of this course, you … Know the basics of modern linguistics Practice linguistic analyses in the areas of sounds, words, and sentences Learn to work with English textbooks Learn to sample and analyze linguistic data from different sources Find out what is most interesting to you in linguistics From: “21 Perfect German Words We Need In English” https://www.buzzfeed.com/lukelewis/german- words?utm_term=.uxdWLP56G#.vb653wxRN; 04.09.2016 Thoma & Lorette ANG 301 Introduction to Linguistics HWS 2024 11 Syllabus (see PDF) Thoma & Lorette ANG 301 Introduction to Linguistics HWS 2024 12 Attendance and requirements Attendance You should not miss more than 2 sessions to maximize your learning outcomes (and exam success) Requirements Passing the final exam Preparation of a linguistic file (data collection and analyses due at the exam day) Participation in a 90 min psycholinguistic experiment. We will inform you via email and on the website below about opportunities to participate. - https://www.phil.uni-mannheim.de/anglistik/abteilungen/anglistik-i/forschung/ma-eye-lab-a-i/ Thoma & Lorette ANG 301 Introduction to Linguistics HWS 2024 13 Exam (more info when it becomes more relevant) There is one end of term exam for all students of all Introduction to Linguistics courses. All students have to register for the exam in the Studierendenportal when registration is open. The Studienbüro will inform you when this is. All topics from the core syllabus are relevant for the exam. Questions on course-specific topics will be elective. Exam questions reflect the structure of the course. Major topic areas account for equal proportions of the exam, i.e., 1/3 of questions on Intro/Sounds, 1/3 on Words, 1/3 on Sentences. These proportions are reflected in the scoring of the exam. Thoma & Lorette ANG 301 Introduction to Linguistics HWS 2024 14 Grading Grade components Exam result accounts for 75% of the final grade You must pass the exam to pass the course Linguistic file accounts for 25% (to be explained later this semester) Oral participation can influence the final grade positively (+.3 grade points) Thoma & Lorette ANG 301 Introduction to Linguistics HWS 2024 15  Textbook Free online access via university library (Primo) Thoma & Lorette ANG 301 Introduction to Linguistics HWS 2024 16 Tutors and tutorials (start next week!) Participate in 1 out of 9 tutorials Register via Portal2. Set priorities (aim: same size, small tutorials) Registration deadline: Thursday, 05.09.2024, 14:00:00. Block Montag Dienstag Mittwoch Donnerstag Freitag B1 PG 8 Pelin VL A PG 10 Mila VL B PG 4 Katharina B2 PG 3 Alexander PG 5 Lina B3 PG 9 Saliha B4 PG 2 Ricarda PG 11 Mirja PG 1 Maria B5 PG 7 Vili PG 6 Nadine B6 Thoma & Lorette ANG 301 Introduction to Linguistics HWS 2024 17 Tutorials – Study Assignments Aim: Help you to work and prepare regularly, help your tutor to adapt their teaching to your needs. Download the worksheet for each tutorial session from Ilias Submit your solution to the worksheet as a PDF for minimum 9 out of 13 sessions 24h before your tutorial starts via upload to your tutorial’s Ilias group - We recommend that you submit at least 3 worksheet solutions for Sounds, Words, and Sentences, respectively. Try to answer all questions per worksheet Do not use artificial intelligence (or your friends work) as you only waste your and your tutor’s time If you do not know an answer, write down what is unclear to you so that your tutor can prepare for it Thoma & Lorette ANG 301 Introduction to Linguistics HWS 2024 18 Exercises ANG 301-Ü Aim: Revision, extra time for questions, Week Day Course Topic exam preparation 4 25.09 A Sounds 26.09 B Sounds Register via Portal2 for 1 out of 2 weekdays - Wed. 8.30 – 10.00 (Course A, Thoma) NO EXERCISE SESSION - Thu. 15.30 – 17.00 (Lorette B, Lorette) 5-7 You can attend Course A or B, irrespective 8 23.10. A Words of the lecture you attend 24.10. B Words Registration deadline: Thursday, NO EXERCISE SESSION 05.09.2024, 14:00:00 10 - 12 13 27.11. A Sentences 38.11. B Sentences Thoma & Lorette ANG 301 Introduction to Linguistics HWS 2024 19 E-learning support At Portal // Ilias you find the presentations and additional course materials and exercises -... accompanying the lecture and the tutorials. More general information at (formal conventions, etc): https://www.phil.uni-mannheim.de/en/department-of- english/ https://www.phil.uni-mannheim.de/anglistik/ Thoma & Lorette ANG 301 Introduction to Linguistics HWS 2024 20  Part 2 General Introduction: Research questions of Linguistics Thoma & Lorette ANG 301 Introduction to Linguistics HWS 2024 21 Linguistics Language Cognitive system Social system Part of mental or psychological Language use for communication structure Noam Chomsky, our focus Thoma & Lorette ANG 301 Introduction to Linguistics HWS 2024 22 Sociolinguistics Relationship between language and the structure of society Language variation and change Extra-linguistic factors determine language varieties: Factor Variety region dialect social group sociolect situation / function register Thoma & Lorette ANG 301 Introduction to Linguistics HWS 2024 23 Linguistics as a cognitive science: Research areas Research question Domain Focus What is the nature of the cognitive system which we (theoretical) Theory, competence identify with knowing a language? Linguistics How do we acquire such a system? Developmental linguistics Acquisition How is this system used in our production and Psycholinguistics Performance data comprehension of speech? How is this system represented in the brain? Neurolinguistics Brain Thoma & Lorette ANG 301 Introduction to Linguistics HWS 2024 24 Linguistics as a cognitive science: Research areas Research question Domain Focus What is the nature of the cognitive system which we (theoretical) Theory, competence identify with knowing a language? Linguistics How do we acquire such a system? Developmental linguistics Acquisition How is this system used in our production and Psycholinguistics Performance data comprehension of speech? How is this system represented in the brain? Neurolinguistics Brain Thoma & Lorette ANG 301 Introduction to Linguistics HWS 2024 25 Evolution and language – basics and assumptions Usage of tools, 150.000 years ago: abstract thinking cultural revolution, probably in combination with fast language development Humans vs. monkeys: Walking upright Larger vocal tract New shape of vocal tract Different brain shape and functions Thoma & Lorette ANG 301 Introduction to Linguistics HWS 2024 26 Language and evolution During human evolution: Example: … the brain changed and developed specialized areas, e.g., Broca’s area, Wernicke area … the vocal tract changed, e.g., the human larynx is placed relatively low in the throat compared to other mammals allowing us to move the tongue more freely. “Comparison of orangutan, chimpanzee and human vocal anatomy (a–c, respectively). Red indicates the tongue body, yellow the larynx and blue the air sacs (apes only). Note the longer oral cavity and much lower larynx in the humans (c), with concomitant distortion of tongue shape compared with orangutans (a) and chimpanzees (b). These differences allow a much greater range of sounds to be produced by humans, which would have been significant in the evolution of speech.” Fitch, W. T. (2000). The evolution of speech: a comparative review. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 4(7), 258-267. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1364-6613(00)01494-7 Thoma & Lorette ANG 301 Introduction to Linguistics HWS 2024 27 Language and communication Animal communication: The example of bees (waggle dance) How does bee communication differ from human language? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU_KD1enR3Q, last access: 29.08.2018 Play video at 1:00 Thoma & Lorette ANG 301 Introduction to Linguistics HWS 2024 28 Language and communication Animal communication Human language refers to the here and now can be abstract restricted to action contexts referential finite range of expressions infinite expressions § Human language is a species-specific cognitive ability to generate an infinite number of complex (abstract) symbolic structures à Knowing a language means having a mental grammar Thoma & Lorette ANG 301 Introduction to Linguistics HWS 2024 29 Language is a symbolic, arbitrary and digital system Symbol [tu:] The signifier is totally 2 arbitrary and conventional. two Icon The signifier is not totally arbitrary but resembles the signified in some way (e.g. cartoons, portraits, onomatopoeia). Index (symptom) The signifier is not arbitrary but is connected to the signified in some way either physically or causally. Thoma & Lorette ANG 301 Introduction to Linguistics HWS 2024 30 Linguistics: Evolution and arbitrariness of language Example: Nicaraguan Sign Language http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjtioIFuNf8, accessed: 29.08.2018 Thoma & Lorette ANG 301 Introduction to Linguistics HWS 2024 31 Representation of Language Thoma & Lorette ANG 301 Introduction to Linguistics HWS 2024 32 Representation of Language Example: Description of a ROLLING DOWN process: Co-speech gestures (typically): analog, iconic description of manner and path of motion, simultaneously (graph A) English: digital, symbolic description of manner and path, separately (graph B) Nicaraguan Sign Language: first generation: analog NSL: second generation: digital Senghas, A., Kita, S. & Ozyurek, A. (2004) Children creating core properties of language: Evidence from an emerging sign language in Nicaragua. Science 305: 1779-1782. Thoma & Lorette ANG 301 Introduction to Linguistics HWS 2024 33 Linguistics: competence, performance Noam Chomsky: competence and performance; Noam Chomsky Related to earlier idea by De Saussure: langue and parole (1928 - ) Competence: knowledge of a language; mentally represented grammar Performance: ability to use a language (comprehension and production) Similar: Ferdinand de I(nternal)-Language versus E(xternal) Lg. Saussure Knowledge versus use of language (1857 - 1913) Competence is an unobservable construct; only inferences about it on the basis of performance data. Thoma & Lorette ANG 301 Introduction to Linguistics HWS 2024 34 What does competence include? Grammar: a set of rules for combining words to form phrases and sentences (global view) Grammar Mental lexicon Syntactic component Lexical entry: - Phonology (sound structure) - Morphology (word structure) - Semantics (meaning, interpretation) Thoma & Lorette ANG 301 Introduction to Linguistics HWS 2024 35 What does competence include? Dibu suses malgeogly xawkm uw pretetness Dibu suses malgeogly xawkm uw pretetness That’s morphology Thoma & Lorette ANG 301 Introduction to Linguistics HWS 2024 36 What does competence include? Dibu suses malgeogly xawkm uw pretetness Dibu suses malgeogly xawkm uw pcetetness N à V à ADV à ADJ à P à N That’s syntax Thoma & Lorette ANG 301 Introduction to Linguistics HWS 2024 37 What does competence include? Dibu suses malgeogly xawkm uw pretetness suses [su.siz] J xawm [ksa.wkm] L That’s phonology Thoma & Lorette ANG 301 Introduction to Linguistics HWS 2024 38 Linguistics: Traditional areas of analysis Phonetics: acoustic qualities of sounds Phonology: study of sound systems Morphology and lexis: study of word structure, word formation, words Syntax: study of sentences and sentence formation Semantics: study of meaning _________________________________________ Text, discourse Pragmatics Thoma & Lorette ANG 301 Introduction to Linguistics HWS 2024 39 What does competence include? Summary Knowledge of all grammatical and ungrammatical structures in a language - The kitten was run over by Mrs Smith. - *Kitten the run was Mrs by over Smith. - */bnonk/ */ptik/ /blonk/ /prick/ Knowledge of ambiguity - I will meet you by the bank. - John saw the astronomer with a telescope. Generative capacity (Recursiveness) - I like linguistics. - The lecturer thinks I like linguistics. - I hope the lecturer thinks I like linguistics. Thoma & Lorette ANG 301 Introduction to Linguistics HWS 2024 40 Linguistics as a cognitive science: Research areas Research question Domain Focus What is the nature of the cognitive system which we (theoretical) Theory, competence identify with knowing a language? Linguistics How do we acquire such a system? Developmental linguistics Acquisition How is this system used in our production and Psycholinguistics Performance data comprehension of speech? How is this system represented in the brain? Neurolinguistics Brain Thoma & Lorette ANG 301 Introduction to Linguistics HWS 2024 41 Word learning in children Early word learning is slow and most words are ‘performative’(‘bye-bye’), names (‘mama’) or objects Vocabulary ‘spurt’ at around 18 months Nouns predominate (decrease after approx. 100 words) Function words are rare (sharp increase after ca. 400 words) Plunkett (1993) Thoma & Lorette ANG 301 Introduction to Linguistics HWS 2024 42 How to learn words and their meaning? Principle of Reference: - ‘Words refer to the world’ Whole Object Principle: - ‘Words refer to whole objects, unless specified otherwise’ Taxonomic Principle (Principle of Categorical Scope): - ‘Words refer to objects, etc. of the same kind’ (rather than thematically related objects, etc.) Mutual Exclusivity - (Principle of Lexical Contrast): ‘Each object has only and only one label’ ‘Fast Mapping’: - Learning a word after a single exposure to object/referent Interesting link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/1MbwbgyQ595kzSXKjgbMV2m/what-was-the-first-language Thoma & Lorette ANG 301 Introduction to Linguistics HWS 2024 43 How to learn words? Can dogs do it, too? Thoma & Lorette ANG 301 Introduction to Linguistics HWS 2024 44 Fast mapping in dogs Kaminski et al. (2004): - Rico: 9 year-old border collie Reported to ‘know’ labels of more than 200 items Can Rico learn new words fast? Kaminski, J., Call, J., & Fischer, J. (2004). Word learning in a domestic dog: Evidence for "fast mapping". Science, 304(5677), 1682–1683. Thoma & Lorette ANG 301 Introduction to Linguistics HWS 2024 45 Fast mapping in dogs Test 1: 200 items were divided into 20 sets of 10 items each. Rico was told by owner to fetch two randomly chosen items from an adjacent room (i.e. no visual contact between owner and dog) → correct retrieval: 37/40 items Thoma & Lorette ANG 301 Introduction to Linguistics HWS 2024 46 Fast mapping in dogs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kW27XF21ORs (29.08.2018, (1:17)) Thoma & Lorette ANG 301 Introduction to Linguistics HWS 2024 47 Fast mapping in dogs Test 2: Fast mapping One novel item and 7 familiar items in room (10 sessions). In first trial, Rico was first told to fetch familiar item, then to fetch novel item → correct retrieval of novel item: 7/10 sessions Thoma & Lorette ANG 301 Introduction to Linguistics HWS 2024 48 Fast mapping in dogs Test 3: Retention: four weeks later Target item together with four completely new items and four familiar items (6 sessions). In first trial, Rico was first told to fetch a familiar item, then to fetch target item → correct retrieval of target item: 3/6 sessions Thoma & Lorette ANG 301 Introduction to Linguistics HWS 2024 49 Language and communication Distinction between /s ɔ k/ and rest of command? Link of /s ɔ k/ with category of socks or association of sound pattern with fetching behavior? Thoma & Lorette ANG 301 Introduction to Linguistics HWS 2024 50  Dogs’ vs children’s word learning abilites Dog (esp. Rico) Children (all) 9 years old at 9 years: Knowledge of ~ 200 words Knowledge of > 10’000 words Ability to acquire new words upon Acquisition without instruction, creation instruction of new words Word knowledge limited to fetching Word knowledge independent of contexts context Not all dogs are like Rico All children learn language Rico cannot use words in grammatical Children use words across gramm. contexts contexts Rico does not speak Thoma & Lorette ANG 301 Introduction to Linguistics HWS 2024 51 Things to do for next week Register online for the tutorial and Übung Get the textbook / access to it Read chapters: “Introduction”, 1, 2 Download the materials (incl. this presentation) from Ilias Download the “Sound Charts” from Ilias for next session Check your university email regularly Don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions or problems Thoma & Lorette ANG 301 Introduction to Linguistics HWS 2024 52