Courses

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.

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.

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.

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.

Discusses foundational principles of translation as cross-linguistic communication, with a focus on minority and minoritized language environments. Students will study the principles involved in understanding a message as originally communicated in one language and cultural setting, and in communicating that message in a very different language and culture. Students will apply theories from different schools of thought regarding communication and the idea of quality in translation.

Provides an overview of the process of Bible Translation paying particular attention to problems related to the translation of sacred texts. Students will apply existing skills in biblical exegesis and linguistic analysis to cross-linguistic communication, with particular consideration given to key biblical concepts and themes, figurative language, identification of genre, and concerns about authenticity among receptor language communities. Special emphasis will also be placed on Bible translation best practices, inclusion of key stakeholders in the translation project context, quality assurance mechanisms, and utilization of tools specific to Bible translation.

Every non-thesis student in the MA Linguistics program is required to write a comprehensive exam in the last semester of their program. Contact the program director for details.

The student, in frequent consultation with his/her advisor, selects a thesis topic and writes a thesis proposal. Once the proposal has been accepted by the student's thesis advisory committee, he/ she begins writing the thesis. There are no formal classes.

The student, in consultation with his/her advisor, works towards completion of the thesis. Upon completion, the thesis must be defended orally before an examining committee. There are no formal classes.