Admission requirements
None, but it is advised to have passed Speech Sounds of the World/Klanken van de Wereld and to combine Linguistic Fieldwork A with the course Language Documentation.
Description
This course introduces students to linguistic fieldwork. Students are trained to carry out linguistic fieldwork by working with a native speaker of an unfamiliar or under-described non-European language. The aim is to collect and analyse sufficient field data to be able to write a basic grammar sketch of the language.
Data are collected through interviews with a language consultant and by using various elicitation and grammar gathering techniques.
The data collected during the fieldwork sessions will be analysed by applying theoretical knowledge of linguistics on primary data. For this reason, a basic knowledge and understanding of articulatory phonetics, phonology, morphology and syntax is required.
The course takes place twice a week: one class is dedicated to the data collection with the native speaker, and the other is devoted to the discussion and the analysis of the collected data. Students are asked to transcribe the recordings and analyse their field notes at home on a weekly basis.
Linguistic Fieldwork A in the first semester is a pre-requisite for Linguistic Fieldwork B in the second semester. In Linguistic Fieldwork B we ideally continue working with the same speaker and the same language, depending on their availability.
Course objectives
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
Record, transcribe and annotate speech data of a previously unfamiliar language, through the interaction with a native speaker;
Collect data through word lists, visual stimuli and other techniques;
Apply adequate data management strategies for the collected data;
Present a basic analysis of the phonology and morphology of the language in written form;
Identify which data gaps still exist for the analysis.
Timetable
The timetables are available through My Timetable.
Mode of instruction
Seminars, own research and hands-on training.
We will meet twice every week: once for a field session and once for a data discussion meeting. Students will be responsible for carrying out elicitation sessions, and transcribing and analysing the data. In the data discussion meetings we will address practical issues as they arise, and we will discuss proposed linguistic analyses for the collected data.
All students will have to prepare the field session in advance, take notes during the recording sessions, transcribe, gloss, and translate the collected data. For each field session, two or three “session leaders” will be chosen. Session leaders will prepare and lead the elicitation session. In the discussion meeting after the data collection meeting, the session leaders will briefly present their findings from the previous data collection meeting.
Assessment method
Assessment
As midterm paper, students submit the first half of their grammar sketch, containing an introduction to the language and a sketch of the phonology of the language.
The final paper will contain a revision of the midterm paper, plus information on the morphology of the language. The final paper will contain an Appendix with a lexicon.
It is advised to consult sections 1.4, 2, and 7 in the Portal Academic Skills.
Weighing
The final mark is a weighted average of the following components:
Midterm paper: 30%
Final paper: 70%
Leading one of the data collection sessions is also a mandatory condition for passing the course. This component is not graded but without completing it the course cannot be completed.
The final mark for the course is established by determining the weighted average. To pass the course, the weighted average of the partial grades must be 5.5 or higher.
Resit
The final paper can be resubmitted as a resit.
Inspection and feedback
The final mark for the course is established by determining the weighted average. To pass the course, the weighted average of the partial grades must be 5.5 or higher.
Mid-term papers are thoroughly discussed in class. Students will be given the opportunity to inspect their graded final papers within a month after disclosure of the results.
Reading list
We will use chapters of the following textbook as background literature during the course. The book is available in the library.
Bowern, Claire. 2008. Linguistic Fieldwork: A practical guide. Palgrave Macmillan.
Registration
Enrolment through My Studymap is mandatory.
General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the website.
Registration Contractonderwijs
Information for those interested in taking this course in context of Contract teaching (with taking examinations), eg. about costs, registration and conditions.
Contact
For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar.
For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office: Reuvensplaats
Remarks
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