Linguistics Theory, Foundations, and Modern Development

An Overview of Linguistics and Linguistic Applications

Introduction

Table of Contents

Chapter One: On the Origins of Linguistics

This course is an inquiry into the nature of human language and the methods of modern linguistics. This inquiry will be fulfilled by reading literature available to determine the origins and the current state of linguistics as a field of scientific study. Particular highlights will be on the English language and on computing aspects of linguistics (including formal vs. natural languages and computer aids to linguistic applications and research).

Linguistics is a relatively new social science that is involved in the study of the nature of language, the acquisition of language, and language change. This course looks at these issues and some of the finer points with these issues. The following results are expected from this course:

1. An understanding of the origin of the field of linguistics.
2. An understanding of the assumptions and principles of linguistics, including:
1. Universals and structure;
2. Dialects and language change;
3. Language acquisition; and
4. Applications of linguistics to other fields.
3. A general familiarity with the types of research conducted in the field of linguistics.
4. A general familiarity using linguistics to conduct literary analysis.
5. An understanding of the history of the development of the English language. And
6. A general familiarity with the cutting edge of linguistics, including:
1. Computer technology used in linguistics; and
2. Formal and natural languages.

To demonstrate knowledge regarding linguistics, this paper is written to summarize the results of the readings as well as personal insights. The paper is organized thematically, meaning that each of the above results will be addressed in an individual section of the paper, when appropriate, and will be included in other sections when appropriate.

In particular, the use of linguistics in literary analysis and the research conducted in the field of linguistics are independent courses in and of themselves, and should be inferred by the discussion of linguistics in general here. The history of the development of the English language, of course, is part of the discussion on language change, and the applications of linguistics to other fields is partially apparent in the discussion on computer technology.

The discussion on computer technology (and formal and natural languages) will be part and parcel with the acquisition of language, as linguists are trying to emulate that process as much as is possible in both the recognition of language and the translation of language.

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Table of Contents

Chapter One: On the Origins of Linguistics

Linguistics Index

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