Scripture Use

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 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.

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.

Anthropological Ling: 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.

Issues in Community Literacy

The issues in community literacy work that are covered in this course include various program issues such as introducing literacy in an oral community, motivation for literacy, capacity-building and sustainability, training of personnel and evaluation of the program, and using participatory approaches in all aspects of the program.

Language Programs 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.

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.

Principles of Translation

Advanced Phonological Analysis

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.

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.

Semantics & Pragmatics

This course provides students with the theoretical tools with which to study meaning at the word and sentence levels, and to explain how people interpret utterances in context. Students will study various models of semantics and pragmatics, and learn how to apply different approaches to the study of meaning in natural language.

Philosophical Perspectives in Linguistics

This course examines the philosophical basis of human language and communication, with special attention to issues relating to semantics, discourse, lexicon, metaphor, and translation — all the areas that deal with meaning creation. There is a critical review of some major schools of thought within philosophy of language and hermeneutics. These are examined in light of current insights in text linguistics, cognitive linguistics, and integrational linguistics.

Survey of Linguistic Theories

This course introduces students to a wide range of linguistic theories. Students read and discuss original works written from various perspectives and gain in the process a clearer appreciation for the range of views that exist concerning the nature of human language and its syntactic, semantic, phonological, and discourse properties.

Topics in Morphology & Syntax

An article based course providing an in-depth exploration of current issues in the linguistic subfields of Morphology and Syntax. The types of topics addressed include: wordhood, clitics, grammatical relations, voice, valence, transitivity, noun incorporation, control constructions, raising, reflexivity & reciprocalization, complementation, evidentiality, secondary predication, and iconicity & economy. Students apply the acquired knowledge in producing a major paper.

Advanced Field Methods

In this course, students transcribe, organize, and analyze language data and prepare a written description of phonological, morphosyntactic, or discourse features of the language. The course focuses on applying effective fieldwork methodologies.

Tone Analysis

This course introduces students to a methodology of tone analysis, incorporating the insights of current theoretical approaches. Students also learn to apply insights from the analysis of a tone system to developing practical orthographies.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.