ONLINE: Language Acquisition - Einzelansicht

This seminar explores key linguistic phenomena in language acquisition. We will introduce the scientific questions on language acquisition that linguists have been addressing, the different kinds of data that they typically turn to and the conclusions they have drawn from them regarding the nature of language learning. An important element in this semester will be the comparison of acquiring one’s native language as a child and that of learning second languages later on. Our focus in doing so will be on the acquisition of phonological and grammatical structures. Methodologically, we will look into an array of different techniques for studying child language, from observational methods such as corpus-based analyses to experimental and behavioural data and their statistical evaluation. The course will thus enable students to read the research literature on language acquisition and to present and discuss such research in their own written work.

We will be using Zoom for conducting our sessions. Students taking this class will have an opportunity to co-present a research article in class (e.g. by means of a prerecorded screencast) and be asked to give regular feedback on other student presentations. The module ends with a term paper (deadline: September 30, 2021).

The course requires the successful completion of the introductory module in linguistics. Having taken Phonetics (or taking it in parallel) will be an asset to understanding the acquisition of phonetics/phonology in this class.

Before you enrol in this class, you should be sure that you do not only show a ”general interest” in language acquisition, but that you are willing and eager to explore the topic from a scientific point of view, including an engagement with theories, data and their analysis. Language acquisition is a fascinating field of inquiry but also a rather challenging one, so do not underestimate the level of difficulty and the commitment that you are expected to make to this class.