Comparative Linguistics
Code
722131041
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas
Department
Linguística
Credits
10.0
Teacher in charge
Maria Francisca Xavier
Weekly hours
4
Teaching language
Português
Objectives
a. To understand the differences and similarities between languages;
b. To be acquainted with basic theoretical and methodological tools for analysing phenomena of several languages in a comparative perspective;
c. To observe and describe some aspects of the linguistic systems of the languages implied in the process of translation.
Prerequisites
None.
Subject matter
- Universal Grammar and Natural Languages
- Tipology of languages and morphosyntactic Parameters
- Lexical and morphosyntatic aspectos:
. pronominal systems
. verbal systems
. movement of constituents
. empty categories
Bibliography
CAMPOS, Maria Henriqueta & Maria Francisca XAVIER, Sintaxe e Semântica do Português, Lisboa, Universidade Aberta, 1991.
CARDINALETTI, Anna, "Pronouns in Germanic and Romance Languages: An overview", in H. van Riemsdijk edt., Clitics in the Languages of Europe. Berlin/N.Y., Mouton de Gruyter, 1999, pp. 33-82.
CHOMSKY, Noam, Knowledge of Language. Its Nature, Origin and Use, N.Y. Praeger, 1985.
HAEGEMAN, Liliane Haegeman edt., The New Comparative Syntax, London/N.Y., Longman, 1997.
JONES, Michael Allan, Foundations of French Syntax, Cambridge University Press. Chapters: 2. Verbs and Verb Phrases, pp. 50-97; 6. Pronouns, pp. 245-309; 10. Inversion and QU-movement, 1996, pp. 463-548.
Teaching method
The topics considered for study, analysis and discussion are scheduled at the beginning of the semester in order to be previously prepared on the basis of recommended readings.
Tutorial sessions are intended both to give MA students individual suport and feedback on their learning outcomes, and supervision of the work planned for oral and written presentation.
Evaluation method
Participation in the seminary sessions, namely with oral presentations of readings, autonomous resolution of practical exercises, oral and written presentation of an individual paper. This paper will be a brief comparative study of a linguistic topic in two or more languages with about 10 pages.