LIN 550 - LINGUISTIC FIELD METHODS

College of Arts and Sciences

Credits: 3

This course is an introduction to field methods for grammatical description. Working with a native speaker of an unfamiliar language, students will gain experience in eliciting and analyzing data in descriptive linguistics. We will consider general issues related to fieldwork, including choosing a field site and consultants, software for linguistic archiving and analysis, as well as the psychological, ethical, and practical considerations related to fieldwork. The bulk of the course, however, will focus on practical experience in describing the phonetics, phonology, morphology, and syntax of an unfamiliar language. LIN 540 must be taken concurrently.

Prerequisite(s):
Prereq: LIN 221 or graduate standing in Linguistics; (or consent of instructor).