Module description
We will begin by introducing some key concepts of comparative and contrastive linguistics, and illustrate how linguistics can contribute to solve practical translation problems. After classifying Romance languages spoken today and providing their historical background, we will go on to examine a set of apparently conflicting processes: on the one hand, the changes from colloquial Latin to the major languages; on the other hand, how an increasingly shared lexicon has developed in Romance Languages over the centuries, via the diffusion of loan words.
We will explore language contact processes (when speakers of different languages interact closely), demonstrating that they take place at various points of the diachrony, and therefore are general phenomena common to all languages. In order to study the lexical borrowings and morphological adaptations, we will analyse the process of re-Latinization of European languages (16th century); to comprehend the processes of lexical innovation, we will analyse the invention of modern terminologies that started in 18th-19th centuries and compare it with examples of 21st century neologisms.
http://www.kcl.ac.uk/artshums/depts/splas/modules/level6/6aasc098.aspx
Assessment details
One 2-hour examination (60%); One 2000 word essay (40%).
Educational aims & objectives
This module provides a general introduction to comparative linguistics, from an historical and synchronic perspective, illustrated with case studies from different domains of language (morphology, syntax, semantics and lexicon). We will analyse empirical data from French, Portuguese and Spanish with a view to exploring the differences and similarities between Romance languages.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- compare and contrast linguistic features in French, Portuguese and Spanish
- identify dialectal and sociolectal variations;
- identify internal and external reasons for linguistic change;
- explain the cross-linguistic evolution of pan-Romance vocabulary;
- understand the social impact of language policies.
Teaching pattern
Two hours per week
Suggested reading list
- Alkire, T. & Rosen, C. (2010) Romance Languages - A Historical Introduction. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Haspelmath, M. & Tadmor, U. (2009) Loanwords in the World's Languages: A Comparative Handbook. De Gruyter.
- Maiden, M. ; Smith, J. Ch. & Ledgewa, A. (2013) The Cambridge History of the Romance Languages. Cambridge University Press.
- Penny, R. J. (2002) A history of the Spanish language. Cambridge University Press.