Course: LING 411. Introduction to Historical Linguistics (3)
Preparatory: LING 300 or equivalent. LING 411 investigates the ways languages emerge and evolve. The course looks at gradual changes in vocabulary (lexicon), sounds (phonetics and phonology—hence, spelling), and grammar (morphology and syntax). Topics include the comparative method, the genealogical and typological classification of languages, language universals and the historical development of entirely “new” language varieties and language families. Much attention is devoted to how Present-day Englishes have developed from Old Anglo Saxon. Available for graduate credit.