Grammar and Meaning

Description

Synopsis: This compulsory module is your first step into looking at English through a linguist’s eyes. Together, we’ll explore three core areas of the language: Word classes – the building blocks of language (nouns, verbs, adjectives, and more), Grammar – how those building blocks slot together into phrases and sentences, Lexical semantics – how words create and carry meaning. Along the way, you’ll learn to use the “insider vocabulary” of linguistics and practise applying it to real examples of English. By the end, you won’t just recognise linguistic terms—you’ll be able to use them confidently to analyse data and explain how English works. Think of this module as laying the foundations: the knowledge and skills you build here will support everything else you do in Linguistics. Notes: Available to visiting and exchange students Taught in English (no Welsh equivalent) Syllabus: The syllabus typically includes Word classes in English Verb subclasses (valency) Basic syntax (NPs, PPs, VPs) and sentence-level syntax Lexical semantics Design features of language Delivery: Primarily on Campus Contact Hours: 22 hours of lectures 11 hours of seminars Learning Outcomes: By the end of this module the student should be able to: 1. recall and describe the main word classes in English 2. recognise the word classes in English and use this knowledge to label the words in any given context, 3. analyse English sentences into their syntactic components (phrases) and draw labelled syntax trees for them, 4. recognise lexical semantic relationships as well as different types of ambiguity in sentences. Transferable Skills: Graduate Attribute 1 (Professional/Disciplinary Competent): Through systematic analysis of word classes, sentence structure, and semantic relationships, students develop analytical skills using appropriate linguistic frameworks to examine language structure, contributing to foundational competence in linguistics. Graduate Attribute 3 (Effective Communicators): Students demonstrate clear communication of linguistic concepts through accurate labelling and analysis of grammatical structures, developing precision in academic discourse about language systems. Assessment Method: Class Test 1, Coursework 1, Examination