Part I. Foundations
In Chapters 1-6, we will learn how to:
- Define the fields of morphology and syntax.
- Apply the scientific method to the study of morphology and syntax.
- Describe the main theoretical assumptions of generative grammar.
- Describe and identify various kinds of morphemes and morphological processes..
- Collect, share, present, and format morphosyntactic data.
- Classify words according to part of speech.
- Develop writing, argumentation, and study skills, especially as they pertain to linguistics.
For the capstone project for this unit, you will write a language profile of a lesser-known or marginalized language. In the practice exercises at the end of each chapter, you will get a chance to do a little research for your language profile. Then, at the end of the unit, you will combine your research into a language profile that you can share with your classmates.
In the spirit of decolonization, I encourage you to pick a language that disrupts the status quo in some way, which can begin to provide you with a deeper understanding of language diversity and the unevenness of the language landscape of the world and in the field of linguistics, such as:
- A language that you have never heard of before (which you can discover by searching a language database like WALS, Ethnologue, or Glottolog).
- A signed or tactile language.
- A language that is negatively affected by colonialism or globalization, especially if you are currently or plan to be involved in community-led revitalization or documentation efforts.
- A non-standard variety of a language (e.g., AAVE or Michif French).
If your language is the national language of a country or the primary language of instruction at a university somewhere in the world, I would encourage you to dig a little deeper and pick another language.
