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Year Course ID Course
2024-2025 LING 101

Introduction to Linguistics

An introduction to the primary elements of linguistics, including an introduction to phonetics (the sounds of language), phonology (the sound systems of language), morphology and syntax (grammatical systems), sociolinguistics, and current issues in linguistics. No previous knowledge of linguistics is required.

Course Credits: 3
2025-2026 LING 101

Introduction to Linguistics

An introduction to the primary elements of linguistics, including an introduction to phonetics (the sounds of language), phonology (the sound systems of language), morphology and syntax (grammatical systems), sociolinguistics, and current issues in linguistics. No previous knowledge of linguistics is required.

Course Credits: 3
2024-2025 LING 102

Applying Linguistics in the World

Explores a variety of linguistic fields and their applications. Students will investigate topics such as language diversity and endangerment, language and technology, Canadian indigenous languages, psychology of language, speech disorders, language acquisition and teaching, and forensic linguistics. Students will discuss theoretical foundations, learn about a variety of linguistic-related careers, and apply their knowledge practically in a chosen field.

Course Credits: 3
2025-2026 LING 102

Applying Linguistics in the World

Explores a variety of linguistic fields and their applications. Students will investigate topics such as language diversity and endangerment, language and technology, Canadian indigenous languages, psychology of language, speech disorders, language acquisition and teaching, and forensic linguistics. Students will discuss theoretical foundations, learn about a variety of linguistic-related careers, and apply their knowledge practically in a chosen field.

Course Credits: 3
2025-2026 LING 210

Language & Society

This course gives students the opportunity to examine and interpret how the socio-cultural context affects the way people speak in that setting. Topics in focus include regional and social dialects, multilingualism, language attitudes and their impact on national and personal identity, linguistic politeness, the maintenance, shift, loss, and spread of languages, and the impact of modern technology. Applications to gender and education are explored in depth.

Course Credits: 3
2024-2025 LING 230

Articulatory Phonetics

Theoretical and practical introduction to the broad range of human speech sounds including tone, intonation, stress, and duration; extensive drill in producing and recognizing these sounds and recording them with phonetic symbols; and practice in recording and reproducing the sounds of selected languages.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): None. (3-0)
NB: Students may not take both LING 306 and LING 230/310.
2025-2026 LING 230

Articulatory Phonetics

Theoretical and practical introduction to the broad range of human speech sounds including tone, intonation, stress, and duration; extensive drill in producing and recognizing these sounds and recording them with phonetic symbols; and practice in recording and reproducing the sounds of selected languages.

Course Credits: 3
NB: Students may not take both LING 306 and LING 230/310.
2024-2025 LING 330

Phonological Analysis

The study of sound systems of human language, including initial principles of phonological analysis. Application of these principles to a wide range of natural language data.

Course Credits: 3
LING 310 (Summer; 3-1; 3-1)
2025-2026 LING 330

Phonological Analysis

The study of sound systems of human language, including initial principles of phonological analysis. Application of these principles to a wide range of natural language data.

Course Credits: 3
2024-2025 LING 360

Morphosyntax I

Theories of grammar and principles of language analysis. Topics include: morphology, syntax, stems, words, phrases, sentences, and categories of meaning. Problem solving with data from a variety of languages is a major part of the course.

Course Credits: 3
LING 310. (Summer; 3-1; 0-0)
2025-2026 LING 360

Morphosyntax I

Theories of grammar and principles of language analysis. Topics include: morphology, syntax, stems, words, phrases, sentences, and categories of meaning. Problem solving with data from a variety of languages is a major part of the course.

Course Credits: 3
2024-2025 LING 371

Training Across Cultures

This course provides linguists, translators and literacy trainers with principles of adult learning to increase their knowledge, skills and attitudes as effective trainers of adults in cross-cultural settings Students will interact with literature in adult education; describe how these principles might apply cross-culturally; practice teaching using these methods; then analyze and compare approaches used in other cultures with practical application to training across cultures. While the focus is for training linguists, the principles can be applied to training adults in a wide variety of training situations.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): LING 210, 310, 330, 360.
2025-2026 LING 371

Training Across Cultures

This course provides linguists, translators and literacy trainers with principles of adult learning to increase their knowledge, skills and attitudes as effective trainers of adults in cross-cultural settings Students will interact with literature in adult education; describe how these principles might apply cross-culturally; practice teaching using these methods; then analyze and compare approaches used in other cultures with practical application to training across cultures. While the focus is for training linguists, the principles can be applied to training adults in a wide variety of training situations.

Course Credits: 3
2024-2025 LING 381

Anthropological Linguistics: Ethnography

This course introduces crucial concepts in anthropology and ethnography to linguists. It focuses on cross-cultural communication with an emphasis on participant observation as an effective methodology for such research. Students collect and analyze data related to topics such as oral traditions, kinship, and social structure. They are introduced to various tools for ethno-semantic analysis, including analysis of cultural themes and worldview, semantic domain analysis, and taxonomic analysis.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): LING 210
2025-2026 LING 381

Anthropological Linguistics: Ethnography

This course introduces crucial concepts in anthropology and ethnography to linguists. It focuses on cross-cultural communication with an emphasis on participant observation as an effective methodology for such research. Students collect and analyze data related to topics such as oral traditions, kinship, and social structure. They are introduced to various tools for ethno-semantic analysis, including analysis of cultural themes and worldview, semantic domain analysis, and taxonomic analysis.

Course Credits: 3
2024-2025 LING 398

Linguistics Practicum

Designed to give students practical experience in a linguistics-related field. Students will plan and pursue independent learning through contexts such as a research project, job shadowing, or community experience. Students will present their experiences and dialogue about big-picture ideas such as the equality of all languages, promoting linguistic diversity, and a Christian perspective on language and culture. Students will have an opportunity to reflect on their own growth and their development of perspectives related to linguistics and its influence on their life and work.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): LING 210, 310, 330, 360.
2025-2026 LING 398

Linguistics Practicum

Designed to give students practical experience in a linguistics-related field. Students will plan and pursue independent learning through contexts such as a research project, job shadowing, or community experience. Students will present their experiences and dialogue about big-picture ideas such as the equality of all languages, promoting linguistic diversity, and a Christian perspective on language and culture. Students will have an opportunity to reflect on their own growth and their development of perspectives related to linguistics and its influence on their life and work.

Course Credits: 3
2024-2025 LING 399

Linguistics Field Placement

The linguistics practicum course is designed to give students a short-term practical experience in a language development program. Students work with a faculty member at TWU and a mentor on location to develop their ability as field linguists through making a contribution to language development work. The location, length of assignment, and work commitments are determined by the faculty member in consultation with the student and field mentor. 120 hours of work are required.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): LING 210, 230/310, 330, 360, and permission from Program Chair.
2025-2026 LING 399

Linguistics Field Placement

The linguistics practicum course is designed to give students a short-term practical experience in a language development program. Students work with a faculty member at TWU and a mentor on location to develop their ability as field linguists through making a contribution to language development work. The location, length of assignment, and work commitments are determined by the faculty member in consultation with the student and field mentor. 120 hours of work are required.

Course Credits: 3
2024-2025 LING 460

Morphosyntax II

This course explores the rich variety of morphological and syntactic constructions and processes found in human language, deepening the students' understanding of morphosyntactic phenomena from a typological perspective. The topics are examined within the framework of a current theory of syntax.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): LING 230/310, 330, 360.
2025-2026 LING 460

Morphosyntax II

This course explores the rich variety of morphological and syntactic constructions and processes found in human language, deepening the students' understanding of morphosyntactic phenomena from a typological perspective. The topics are examined within the framework of a current theory of syntax.

Course Credits: 3
2024-2025 LING 466

Principles of Sociolinguistic Survey

This course introduces the students to the rudiments of linguistic and sociolinguistic survey. The focus is on purpose-driven language survey design and appropriate subsequent reporting of the findings. Consideration is given to current issues in social science research such as the ethics of sampling, and statistical significance of sample populations.

Course Credits: 3
LING 210 (Summer, 0-0;0-0)
2025-2026 LING 466

Principles of Sociolinguistic Survey

This course introduces the students to the rudiments of linguistic and sociolinguistic survey. The focus is on purpose-driven language survey design and appropriate subsequent reporting of the findings. Consideration is given to current issues in social science research such as the ethics of sampling, and statistical significance of sample populations.

Course Credits: 3
2025-2026 LING 470

Language & Culture Acquisition

This course introduces students to theories of second language and second culture acquisition. Students develop and evaluate self-directed strategies based on personal learning styles. Practical experience in the above topics is gained by working with a speaker of a non-Indo-European language.

Course Credits: 3
NB: LING 480 is recommended in same semester.
2024-2025 LING 471

First Language Acquisition

Covers typical first language acquisition in children. Major topics include phonology, vocabulary, grammar, syntax, pragmatics, as well as literacy development. Application to fields of speech-language pathology and audiology are developed through sections on language impairment and hearing loss.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): LING 310, 330 and 360.
NB: Offered in odd-numbered years.
2025-2026 LING 471

First Language Acquisition

Covers typical first language acquisition in children. Major topics include phonology, vocabulary, grammar, syntax, pragmatics, as well as literacy development. Application to fields of speech-language pathology and audiology are developed through sections on language impairment and hearing loss.

Course Credits: 3
NB: Offered in odd-numbered years.
2024-2025 LING 472

Orthography Development

Prepares linguists and literacy workers to guide speakers of an unwritten language to develop an orthography that will accurately represent the sound system of the language, be acceptable to the speakers of the language, and be easily learned for reading and writing the language. This includes consideration of both linguistic and sociolinguistic factors, and representation of non-segmental features such as tone. Although the focus is on alphabetic scripts, non-Roman scripts, including syllabic and logographic, are also considered.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): LING 230, 330
2024-2025 LING 475

Scripture Engagement

This course focuses on developing appropriate materials and activities that enhance a community's engagement with Scripture. Students learn how to research worldview, work with local artists and teachers, and partner with local leaders in this process.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): None. (Summer, 0-0;0-0)
2025-2026 LING 475

Scripture Engagement

This course focuses on developing appropriate materials and activities that enhance a community's engagement with Scripture. Students learn how to research worldview, work with local artists and teachers, and partner with local leaders in this process.

Course Credits: 3
2024-2025 LING 476

Acoustic Phonetics

This course introduces students to fundamental principles of acoustics that are relevant to the study of human speech sounds. Students gain a basic understanding of the properties of speech sound waves and learn to investigate these properties instrumentally using acoustic analysis software. Students gain extensive practice interpreting acoustic displays such as waveform graphs, fundamental frequency graphs, and spectrograms. A major focus of the course is the effective use of these displays as an aid to correctly transcribing speech sounds and understanding their phonetic properties in the context of descriptive phonetic and/or phonological fieldwork. Significant attention is also given to the complex interrelationships among acoustic, articulatory, and perceptual correlates of speech sounds.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): LING 310.
2025-2026 LING 476

Acoustic Phonetics

This course introduces students to fundamental principles of acoustics that are relevant to the study of human speech sounds. Students gain a basic understanding of the properties of speech sound waves and learn to investigate these properties instrumentally using acoustic analysis software. Students gain extensive practice interpreting acoustic displays such as waveform graphs, fundamental frequency graphs, and spectrograms. A major focus of the course is the effective use of these displays as an aid to correctly transcribing speech sounds and understanding their phonetic properties in the context of descriptive phonetic and/or phonological fieldwork. Significant attention is also given to the complex interrelationships among acoustic, articulatory, and perceptual correlates of speech sounds.

Course Credits: 3
2025-2026 LING 480

Field Methods: Data Management & Analysis

Practical methodology for managing, analyzing, and describing language data. Working with a native speaker of a non-Indo-European language, students gain experience in the ethics of fieldwork, techniques of data collection and recording, analysis using the scientific method and the use of linguistic software

Course Credits: 3
NB: In fall term, must be taken with LING 470.
2024-2025 LING 480

Field Methods: Data Management and Analysis

Practical methodology for managing, analyzing, and describing language data. Working with a native speaker of a non-Indo-European language, students gain experience in the ethics of fieldwork, techniques of data collection and recording, analysis using the scientific method and the use of linguistic software

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): LING 310, 330, 360. (3-1; 0-0)
NB: In fall term, must be taken with LING 470.
2024-2025 LING 482

Issues in Community Literacy

This course focuses on issues relating to literacy programs in a community of speakers of a minority language. It deals with various program issues, including: bridging the gap to oral communities and introducing change in a community, motivation and mobilization, capacity-building and sustainability, training and evaluation, the challenges of working in multilingual societies and with those in stressed situations, and using participatory approaches in all aspects of the program.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): LING 210. (3-0)
2025-2026 LING 482

Issues in Community Literacy

This course focuses on issues relating to literacy programs in a community of speakers of a minority language. It deals with various program issues, including: bridging the gap to oral communities and introducing change in a community, motivation and mobilization, capacity-building and sustainability, training and evaluation, the challenges of working in multilingual societies and with those in stressed situations, and using participatory approaches in all aspects of the program.

Course Credits: 3
2025-2026 LING 483

Language Program Design & Management

This course investigates the sociolinguistic and background factors upon which a language development program for speakers of vernacular languages may be based. Students learn to work with local people and agencies in designing and implementing a program to effectively meet the needs of specific language groups.

Course Credits: 3
2024-2025 LING 483

Language Program Design and Management

This course investigates the sociolinguistic and background factors upon which a language development program for speakers of vernacular languages may be based. Students learn to work with local people and agencies in designing and implementing a program to effectively meet the needs of specific language groups.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): LING 210.
2024-2025 LING 484

Principles of Literacy

An introduction to literacy work in ethnolinguistic minority groups. This course includes an overview of the elements of a literacy program, including literacy materials development, pre- and post- literacy considerations, learning and reading theory, and instructional methodologies.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): LING 210, 230/310, and 330. (3-0)
2025-2026 LING 484

Principles of Literacy

An introduction to literacy work in ethnolinguistic minority groups. This course includes an overview of the elements of a literacy program, including literacy materials development, pre- and post- literacy considerations, learning and reading theory, and instructional methodologies.

Course Credits: 3
2024-2025 LING 485

Principles of Translation

This course covers the process of translating from a source language to a target language. Students will develop skill in understanding a message as originally communicated in one language and cultural setting and in communicating essentially that message in a very different language and culture. Discussion includes: source language, target language, and cross-language transfer, with particular attention to the translation of Scripture.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): LING 493
2024-2025 LING 486

Advanced Phonological Analysis

This course introduces students to advanced concepts of phonological theory. Employing the theoretical models they are learning, students develop a clearer understanding of the typological behavior of phonological systems by analyzing data from a variety of languages.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): LING 310, 330; minimum grade of B-.
2025-2026 LING 486

Advanced Phonological Analysis

This course introduces students to advanced concepts of phonological theory. Employing the theoretical models they are learning, students develop a clearer understanding of the typological behavior of phonological systems by analyzing data from a variety of languages.

Course Credits: 3
2024-2025 LING 487

Lexicography

Provides a theoretical and practical basis for analyzing the semantics of the lexicon, managing a lexical database, and producing dictionaries for a variety of audiences including the local community, translators, and linguists.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): LING 480
2025-2026 LING 487

Lexicography

Provides a theoretical and practical basis for analyzing the semantics of the lexicon, managing a lexical database, and producing dictionaries for a variety of audiences including the local community, translators, and linguists.

Course Credits: 3
2024-2025 LING 488

Literacy Materials Development

This course teaches students how to prepare basic pedagogical materials and early readers in languages that may not have a long written tradition. Special emphasis is given to teaching techniques for involving the local language community in the production of these materials.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): LING 484
2025-2026 LING 488

Literacy Materials Development

This course teaches students how to prepare basic pedagogical materials and early readers in languages that may not have a long written tradition. Special emphasis is given to teaching techniques for involving the local language community in the production of these materials.

Course Credits: 3
2024-2025 LING 490

Special Topics in Linguistics

An examination of special topics or issues in linguistics that are not covered in depth in other courses.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): LING 310, 330, 360, or equivalent courses, third year standing, and instructor's consent.
NB: Offered on a case by case basis as needed. See department chair.
2025-2026 LING 490

Special Topics in Linguistics

An examination of special topics or issues in linguistics that are not covered in depth in other courses.

Course Credits: 3
NB: Offered on a case by case basis as needed. See department chair.
2024-2025 LING 491

Discourse Analysis

This course focuses on the question of how speakers of a given language effectively accomplish their communicative goals through the strategic use and shaping of language in both written and oral discourse. Students learn to identify different discourse genres, to chart texts for analysis, to discern hierarchical units within the macrostructure of a text, and to describe features of cohesion and participant reference, as well as identifying strategies in language for establishing the relative prominence of various streams of information. Special attention is paid to the interaction between alternate syntactic forms and their varying pragmatic functions in context.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): LING 360 and third year standing.
2025-2026 LING 491

Discourse Analysis

This course focuses on the question of how speakers of a given language effectively accomplish their communicative goals through the strategic use and shaping of language in both written and oral discourse. Students learn to identify different discourse genres, to chart texts for analysis, to discern hierarchical units within the macrostructure of a text, and to describe features of cohesion and participant reference, as well as identifying strategies in language for establishing the relative prominence of various streams of information. Special attention is paid to the interaction between alternate syntactic forms and their varying pragmatic functions in context.

Course Credits: 3