HM5701

Linguistic Comparison

Module Outline
Semester 2

Day / Time / Room: Tutor

School of Education and Humanities, Faculty of Media, Arts & Technology

Contains:
Module Evaluation Summary
Module Content
Module Programme
Assessment Brief(s)
Recommended Reading

School of Education and Humanities

This module compares and contrasts a number of languages such as Vietnamese, German, Dutch, French,
Italian, Spanish and Xhosa with English, in order to gain insights into the workings of language. The module
introduces students to the comparative study of languages. The comparison is useful in gaining insights
into the workings of one’s own language and language in general. The areas compared include grammar,
sound systems, writing systems, politeness, gender and the relationship with language and culture.
Languages covered are drawn from different language families.

Teaching Arrangements

The module will usually be taught as a lecture in the first hour, and a seminar in the second hour of each
meeting. Sessions will use the prescribed text, course materials and exercise sheets, which are intended
as a basis for class discussion, as well as for preparation and revision. They will include a range of
questions, and you are encouraged to make sure that you work through them each week, in advance of the
weekly meeting. There is no set text, but rather the reading list will direct you to useful related reading for
each week. There is a Moodle site where you can access course materials electronically, and where you
can use the electronic bulletin board.

MODULE SCHEDULE

Week 1: Introduction. English and Vietnamese Intro

Week 2: Comparison 1: Phonology 1. English and Vietnamese

Week 3: Comparison 2: Phonology 2. English and Vietnamese

Week 4: Comparison 3: Morphology 1. English and Vietnamese. English and Vietnamese Workshop

Week 5: Revision and practical work

Week 6: Comparison 4: Morphology 2. English and Vietnamese

Week 7: Harvard Referencing. Research. Cite.

Week 8: Active Learning: Outline for Assignment 2

Week 9: Comparison 5: Grammar-Syntax-Lexis 1. English and Vietnamese

Week 10: Comparison 6: Grammar-Syntax-Lexis 2. English and Vietnamese

Week 11: Active Learning: Gender – Politeness – Culture

Week 12: Workshop. Help with assignment

Recommended text:

Kuiper, K. and W. Scott Allan (2004 or newer). An Introduction to English Language. Word, Sound and
Sentence. Basingstoke: Palgrave-Macmillan.

Further Reading;

https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1085&context=jsaaea

https://www.slideshare.net/dball550/language-comparison-powerpoint-8739605

https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/4d99/eb5bf62cc7fc3b9e529c8b6a06d5d6f9ac02.pdf

http://www.seasite.niu.edu/jsealt/past%20issues/volume%2010/VN%20LLF%20Part%20I.pdf

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/43199320_Cross-
Linguistic_Analysis_of_Vietnamese_and_English_with_Implications_for_Vietnamese_Language_Acquisition_and_Ma
intenance_in_the_United_States

Bauer, L. et al (2006). Language Matters. Basingstoke: Palgrave.

Finch, G. (2005) Key Concepts in Language and Linguistics. Basingstoke: Palgrave.

Fromkin, V. et al. (2003). An Introduction to Language, 7th ed. New York: Thomson.

Hammond, M. (1999). The Phonology of English. Oxford: OUP.

Mullany, L. and P. Stockwell (2010). Introducing English Language. Abingdon: Routledge.

Trask, R. (1998). Key Concepts in Language and Linguistics. London: Routledge.

Romaine, S. (2000). Language in Society - An Introduction to Sociolinguistics. Second Edition. Oxford:

Graddol, D. J. Cheshire and J. Swann, Describing Language. Oxford: OUP.

Wray, A. et al., Projects in Linguistics: A Practical Guide to Researching Language. London: Arnold.

Yule, G. (2014). The Study of Language (5th Ed.). Cambridge: CUP.

Arnaiz, C. and Wilkie, I. (2006). Basic Spanish: A Grammar and Workbook. Abingdon: Routledge

Battye, A., Hintze, M-A., Rowlett, P. (2000). The French Language Today: A Linguistic Introduction.
Abingdon: Routledge

Campbell, L. (2013). Historical Linguistics: an introduction. Massachusetts: MIT

Farrell, C. F. (2012). Side-By-Side French and English Grammar, 3rd Edition. New York: McGraw Hill

Johnson, S.A. (2008). Exploring the German Language. Cambridge: CUP

Kirsch, B. and Skorge, S. (2010). Complete Xhosa. Teach Yourself. London: Hodder

Lodge, R. A. (1997). Exploring the French Language. London: Hodder

Resnick, S. (1961). Essential French Grammar. London: Dover Publications

McColl Millar, R (2007) Trask's Historical Linguistics. Abingdon: Routledge

Salkoff, M. (1999). A French-English Grammar: A Contrastive Grammar on Translational Principles. Berlin:

Sanders, C. (1996). French Today: Language in Its Social Context. Cambridge: CUP

Schenke, H., Seago, K. (2004). Basic German: Grammar and Workbook. Abingdon: Routledge

Schmidt, T. (2010). Basic Structural Differences Within a Linguistic Comparison of English and German
grammar. Norderstedt: GRIN Verlag

Stern, H. R. (1984). Essential Dutch Grammar. London: Dover Publications

Tranel, B. (1987). The Sounds of French: An Introduction. Cambridge: CUP

Vinay, J-P. and Darbelnet, J. (1999). Comparative Stylistics of French and English: A methodology for
translation. Berlin: John Benjamins