Grammatical Differences between British and American English

Dozent/in:

Julia Schlüter

Angaben:

Seminar/Hauptseminar, 2 SWS, ECTS: 8

Termine:

Do, 10:15 - 11:45, U11/00.16
In the second week of term, MA students as well as BA/Lehramt students in their Vertiefungsmodul are expected to take part in an introduction to research methods in a computer pool (unless they have already participated in the Übung “Methods and Theories in Linguistics”). Thus, these participants are required to reserve the following times and dates: Fri, 28 April 2017, 8–10 h OR 10–12 h OR 12–14 h AND Thu, 4 May 2017, 8–14 h OR Fri, 5 May 2017, 8–14 h. To coordinate course dates and times, please register for the following Virtual Campus course by 26 April at the latest and take part in the survey you will find there: https://vc.uni-bamberg.de/moodle/course/view.php?id=21254. You will receive notice of the time slots you have been allotted on 27 April.

Voraussetzungen / Organisatorisches:

General organization
1. Modules:

BA Anglistik/Amerikanistik: Vertiefungsmodul Sprachwissenschaft: Seminar (8 ECTS)
LA GY modularisiert: Vertiefungsmodul Sprachwissenschaft: Seminar (8 ECTS)
LA GY modularisiert: Wahlpflichtmodul Englische Sprachwissenschaft bei Kombination mit dem Fach Russisch Seminar (6 ECTS)
MA English and American Studies: Master Module English Linguistics: Seminar (8 ECTS)
MA English and American Studies: Profile Module English Linguistics I-VI: Seminar (8, 6, 5 or 4 ECTS)
MA English and American Studies: Consolidation Module English Linguistics I-IV: Seminar (8, 6, 5 or 4 ECTS)
Erweiterungsbereich Anglistik/Amerikanistik im Rahmen anderer MA: Master Module or Profile Module I or III English Linguistics: Seminar (8 ECTS)
Erasmus and other visiting students: Seminar (max. 8 ECTS)

2. Registration and Deregistration:

Registration via FlexNow from 3 April 2017, 10:00h, to 27 April 2017, 23:59h.
Deregistration via FlexNow from 3 April 2017, 10:00h, to 30 April 2017, 23:59h.

For students transferring to the University of Bamberg, for Erasmus students and for those who need the credit to register for their upcoming final exams a few places will be reserved. If the course is fully booked please contact the lecturer personally.

3. Requirements for successful completion of the course:

4 ECTS: regular active participation in class + oral presentation
5/6/8 ECTS in MA English and American Studies Consolidation Module English Linguistics I/II/III: regular active participation in class + oral exam
5 ECTS in other programmes or modules: regular active participation in class + oral presentation + assignment of 2500-3500 words
6 ECTS: regular active participation in class + oral presentation + seminar paper of 3000-4000 words
8 ECTS BA Anglistik/Amerikanistik Vertiefungsmodul: regular active participation in class + oral presentation + seminar paper of 3500-4500 words
8 ECTS in other programmes or modules, and visiting students: regular active participation in class + oral presentation + seminar paper of 4500-6000 words

4. Language of instruction:

English

Inhalt:

Description: The two major national varieties of English differ in many more ways than most of us are aware of. So far, phonological, orthographic and lexical differences as well as issues in second language teaching have received considerable attention. In addition, it has recently been demonstrated that on the grammatical level, we can find a not-to-be-underestimated number of contrasts between the two standard varieties if we look closely enough and pay due attention to quantitative differences in the use of variant structures.

The methodological obstacles that have until not long ago hampered research into grammatical differences have been eliminated thanks to the availability of large computerized corpora. Thus, the seminar will focus on a selection of recent, mostly corpus-based studies of British-American divergences and encourage students to carry out their own research on the electronic texts available at the Chair of English Linguistics. The topics covered form a progression from lexical and grammatical morphology to word order and syntactic relations. The seminar will equally aim at discovering system-inherent orientations that account for variety-specific tendencies. For this purpose, the historical dimension of the contrasts will be given an important place.

The Übung that accompanies the Seminar (Thursdays, 9:00 – 10:00h, U9/01.03) is designed to discuss oral presentations, handouts and termpaper projects individually and/or in small groups. Individual arrangements will be made – also, if necessary, concerning the time of the Übung. Therefore clashes with other courses scheduled for the same time slot as the Übung can be avoided.

Empfohlene Literatur:

Rohdenburg, Günter & Julia Schlüter (2009) One Language, Two Grammars? Differences between British and American English. (Studies in English Language.) Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. [available on the reserve shelf in TB4 and as an eBook accessible within the University Library]

Übung zu Seminar/Hauptseminar "Grammatical Differences between British and American English"

Dozent/in:

Julia Schlüter

Angaben:

Übung

Termine:

Do, 9:15 - 10:00, U9/01.03

Corpora in Language Description and Teaching: The use of corpora to analyse words, grammar and texts; write dictionaries and grammars; teach vocabulary, grammar, stylistics and discourse.

Dozentinnen/Dozenten:

Manfred Krug, Ramesh Krishnamurthy

Angaben:

Blockseminar, 2 SWS, ECTS: 8

Termine:

Einzeltermin am 21.7.2017, 10:00 - 14:00, U9/01.11, U5/02.23
Einzeltermin am 22.7.2017, 10:00 - 14:00, U9/01.11, U5/02.23
Einzeltermin am 25.7.2017, 16:00 - 18:00, U5/00.24
Einzeltermin am 25.7.2017, 14:30 - 16:00, U9/01.01
Einzeltermin am 26.7.2017, 18:15 - 20:00, U11/00.16
Einzeltermin am 27.7.2017, 16:00 - 17:30, U5/00.24
Einzeltermin am 27.7.2017, 18:15 - 20:00, U7/01.05
Einzeltermin am 28.7.2017, 10:00 - 15:00, U9/01.11
Einzeltermin am 28.7.2017, 10:00 - 14:00, U5/02.23
Einzeltermin am 29.7.2017, 9:00 - 11:00, U9/01.11
Einzeltermin am 29.7.2017, 11:00 - 12:00, U9/01.01
In the second week of term, MA students as well as BA/Lehramt students in their Vertiefungsmodul are expected to take part in an introduction to research methods in a computer pool (unless they have already participated in the Übung Methods and Theories in Linguistics ). Thus, these participants are required to reserve the following times and dates: Fri, 28 April 2017, 8 10 h OR 10 12 h OR 12 14 h AND Thu, 4 May 2017, 8 14 h OR Fri, 5 May 2017, 8 14 h. To coordinate course dates and times, please register for the following Virtual Campus course by 26 April at the latest and take part in the survey you will find there: https://vc.uni-bamberg.de/moodle/course/view.php?id=21254. You will receive notice of the time slots you have been allotted on 27 April.

Voraussetzungen / Organisatorisches:

1. Modules:
BA Anglistik/Amerikanistik: Vertiefungsmodul Sprachwissenschaft: Seminar (8 ECTS)
LA GY modularisiert: Vertiefungsmodul Sprachwissenschaft: Seminar (8 ECTS)
MA English and American Studies: Master Module English Linguistics: Seminar (8 ECTS)
MA English and American Studies: Profile Module English Linguistics I-VI: Seminar (8 ECTS)
MA English and American Studies: Consolidation Module English Linguistics I-IV: Seminar (8 ECTS)
Erweiterungsbereich Anglistik/Amerikanistik im Rahmen anderer MA: Master Module or Profile Module I or III
English Linguistics: Seminar (8 ECTS)
Erasmus and other visiting students: Seminar (max. 8 ECTS)

2. Registration and Deregistration:
Registration via FlexNow from 3 April 2017, 10:00h, to 27 April 2017, 23:59h.
Deregistration via FlexNow from 3 April 2017, 10:00h, to 30 April 2017, 23:59h.

For students transferring to the University of Bamberg, for Erasmus students and for those who need the credit to register for their upcoming final exams a few places will be reserved. If the course is fully booked please contact the lecturer personally.

Inhalt:

This seminar will introduce you to the main aims and methods of corpus linguistics, its theoretical background, and its history. It will discuss the design and creation of corpora, the software and analytical tools, and the interpretation of corpus outputs. You will be able to explore some existing corpora, and create and analyse your own corpus. The seminar will focus on the learning and teaching of languages and linguistics using corpora. Further aspects to be dealt with include: Interpreting the software outputs; Corpora in the Lexicon & Dictionary making; Corpora and Grammar; Corpora and Discourse; Corpora and Teaching.

Empfohlene Literatur:

Bennett, Gena. R. 2010. Using corpora in the language learning classroom: Corpus linguistics for teachers. University of Michigan Press. [suggested reading: PART 1 (pp.1-22), provided on the Virtual Campus].

English Lexicography [+ optional study trip to Oxford]

Dozent/in:

Gabriele Knappe

Angaben:

Seminar/Hauptseminar, 2 SWS, benoteter Schein, ECTS: 8, Zentrum für Mittelalterstudien

Termine:

Do, 12:15 - 13:45, U5/02.18
In the second week of term, MA students as well as BA/Lehramt students in their Vertiefungsmodul are expected to take part in an introduction to research methods in a computer pool (unless they have already participated in the Übung “Methods and Theories in Linguistics”). Thus, these participants are required to reserve the following times and dates: Fri, 28 April 2017, 8–10 h OR 10–12 h OR 12–14 h AND Thu, 4 May 2017, 8–14 h OR Fri, 5 May 2017, 8–14 h. To coordinate course dates and times, please register for the following Virtual Campus course by 26 April at the latest and take part in the survey you will find there: https://vc.uni-bamberg.de/moodle/course/view.php?id=21254. You will receive notice of the time slots you have been allotted on 27 April.

Voraussetzungen / Organisatorisches:

General organization

1. Modules:
BA Anglistik/Amerikanistik: Vertiefungsmodul Sprachwissenschaft: Seminar (8 ECTS)
LA GY modularisiert: Vertiefungsmodul Sprachwissenschaft: Seminar (8 ECTS)
LA GY modularisiert: Wahlpflichtmodul Englische Sprachwissenschaft bei Kombination mit dem Fach Russisch Seminar (6 ECTS)
MA English and American Studies: Master Module English Linguistics: Seminar (8 ECTS)
MA English and American Studies: Profile Module English Linguistics I-VI: Seminar (8, 6, 5 or 4 ECTS)
MA English and American Studies: Consolidation Module English Linguistics I-IV: Seminar (8, 6, 5 or 4 ECTS)
Erweiterungsbereich Anglistik/Amerikanistik im Rahmen anderer MA: Master Module or Profile Module I or III English Linguistics: Seminar (8 ECTS)
Erasmus and other visiting students: seminar (max. 8 ECTS)

2. Registration and Deregistration:

Registration via FlexNow from 27 January 2017, 10:00h, to 27 April 2017, 23:59h.
Deregistration via FlexNow from 27 January 2017, 10:00h, to 30 April 2017, 23:59h.

A limited number of places will be reserved for visiting students, students who have changed universities and students who need this class urgently as they are approaching the end of their studies. If the seminar is overbooked, the teachers will decide which students will be accepted.

In connection with this seminar, an optional study trip (excursion) to Oxford and London is offered from June 14 to June 19, 2017, to ten students in this seminar. Registration for the study trip is now closed.

3. Requirements for successful completion of the course:
4 ECTS: regular active participation in class + oral presentation + short assignment of c. 2000 words
5/6/8 ECTS in MA English and American Studies Consolidation Module English Linguistics I/II/III: regular active participation in class + oral exam
5 ECTS in other programmes or modules: regular active participation in class + oral presentation + assignment of c. 3000 words
6 ECTS: regular active participation in class + oral presentation + seminar paper of c. 4000 words
8 ECTS BA Anglistik/Amerikanistik Vertiefungsmodul: regular active participation in class + oral presentation + seminar paper of 3500-4500 words
8 ECTS in other programmes or modules, and visiting students: regular active participation in class + oral presentation + seminar paper of 4500-6000 words

4. Language of instruction:
English

Inhalt:

Description:
"Don’t you love the Oxford Dictionary? When I first read it, I thought it was a really really long poem about everything.” (David Bowie) -- "Your sturdy reassurance is your real charm [...]. In an age where Wikipedia's universal reputation for unreliability doesn't stop anyone from using it, and where the media and politicians are more distrusted than ever, you are a beacon of light" (Chas Newkey-Burdon, "I love my dictionary", 14 February 2008; https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2008/feb/14/ilovemydictionary). What exactly is it that makes an artist discover qualities of a poem in a reference work, or a journalist ascribe to it much-loved "sturdy reassurance"? It is the great effort of dictionary writing, i.e. lexicography. Lexicography is both an art and a craft, as Sidney Landau so aptly put it in the subtitle of his monograph on dictionaries. We will explore the theoretical concepts as well as the practical possibilities and problems of cataloguing the wealth of words of the English language. The selection and presentation of material in designing a dictionary will be a special focus (e.g. alphabetical vs. topical, or a particular synchronic selection in learner's dictionaries vs. an exhaustive diachronic dictionary, e.g. in the Oxford English Dictionary). In addition, the question of the linguistic treatment behind the lexicographical presentation will take us to a discussion of definitions and translations, phonetic and graphic aids, historical explanations, and illustrations. Major landmarks in the development of English lexicography will be introduced and discussed; the main focus, however, will be modern dictionary making, both synchronic and diachronic, the use of electronic corpora for these purposes and the possibilities of electronic and/or online publications. Special consideration will be given to the greatest dictionary of all, the Oxford English Dictionary. The practical application of theoretical concepts in project work and its presentation is the foundation of the written seminar paper. An optional STUDY TRIP (EXCURSION) is offered with this seminar (see above, at "2. Registration and Deregistration", for details).
The Übung, which accompanies the Hauptseminar (Wednesday, 14:15-15:00 in U9/01.04) is designed to discuss project work and other assignments individually and/or in small groups. Individual arrangements will be made – also, if necessary, concerning the time of the Übung. Therefore clashes with other courses scheduled for the same time slot as the Übung can be avoided. The Übung will not start before the second week of term. Further information will be given in the first session of the seminar.

Empfohlene Literatur:

• Durkin, Philip. 2016. The Oxford Handbook of Lexicography. Oxford: Oxford University Press, ch. 1.: "Introduction".
• Klotz, Michael and Thomas Herbst. 2016. English Dictionaries: A Linguistic Introduction. Berlin: Erich Schmidt.
• Jackson, Howard. 2002. Lexicography: An Introduction. London and New York: Routledge.

Übung zum Hauptseminar "English Lexicography"

Dozent/in:

Gabriele Knappe

Angaben:

Übung

Termine:

Mi, 14:15 - 15:00, U9/01.04

Inhalt:

Description:
This practise course (Übung) is designed to help individual students and/or small groups of students attending the seminar “English Lexicography" in their preparation of practical tasks, oral presentations and written essays. Individual arrangements will be made – also, if necessary, concerning the time of the Übung. Therefore clashes with other courses scheduled for the same time slot as the Übung can be avoided. The Übung will not start before the second week of term. Further information will be given in the first session of the seminar.

Pidgin and Creole languages

Dozent/in:

Geoffrey Haig

Angaben:

Seminar, 2 SWS, benoteter Schein, ECTS: 8, Gaststudierendenverzeichnis, Studium Generale, Erweiterungsbereich, Seminar für das Aufbaumodul 1 und 2 (6 ECTS) sowie das Vertiefungsmodul (8 ECTS) im BA-NF "Allgemeine Sprachwissenschaft" sowie für das Mastermodul 2 "Sprachvariation und Sprachwandel" und das Mastermodul 3 "Soziolinguistik der Minderheitensprachen" im MA "General Linguistics"

Termine:

Di, 14:15 - 15:45, OK8/02.04

Voraussetzungen / Organisatorisches:

• The lecture will be in English.
• FlexNow-Anmeldung ab dem 01.04.

ECTS-Informationen:

• Aufbaumodul: 6 ECTS, Hausarbeit mit einem Mindestumfang von 10 Seiten
• Vertiefungsmodul: 8 ECTS, Hausarbeit mit einem Mindestumfang von 14 Seiten
• im Mastermodul 2 bzw. Mastermodul 3 gilt ebenfalls eine benotete schriftliche Hausarbeit (Umfang nach Absprache) als Leistungsnachweis

Für Studierende der Englischen Sprachwissenschaft gelten folgende Modulzuordnungen:
BA Anglistik/Amerikanistik: Vertiefungsmodul Sprachwissenschaft: Seminar (8 ECTS)
LA GY modularisiert: Vertiefungsmodul Sprachwissenschaft: Seminar (8 ECTS)
LA GY modularisiert: Wahlpflichtmodul Englische Sprachwissenschaft bei Kombination mit dem Fach Russisch Seminar (6 ECTS)
MA English and American Studies: Master Module English Linguistics: Seminar (8 ECTS)
MA English and American Studies: Profile Module English Linguistics I-VI: Seminar (8, 6, 5 or 4 ECTS)
MA English and American Studies: Consolidation Module English Linguistics I-IV: Seminar (8, 6, 5 or 4 ECTS)
Erweiterungsbereich Anglistik/Amerikanistik im Rahmen anderer MA: Master Module or Profile Module I or III English Linguistics: Seminar (8 ECTS)
Erasmus and other visiting students: Seminar (max. 8 ECTS)

Studierende, die die Studienleistung im Fach Englische Sprachwissenschaft einbringen möchten, müssen sich über den FlexNow-Zugang des Lehrstuhls für „Englische Sprachwissenschaft einschließlich Sprachgeschichte“ (Prof. Dr. M. Krug) zu diesem Seminar anmelden.

Inhalt:

Pidgin is the term used to refer to simplified communication systems that sometimes arise when speakers of different languages need to communicate with each other. Pidgins may, under certain social conditions, subsequently develop into creoles, which can be considered fully-fledged languages, though traces of their origins are often still evident. Pidgins can emerge quite quickly and under very varied conditions (for example, among so-called Gastarbeiter in Germany), but the best-known and most intensely researched environment is in the context of colonialization and slavery. Speakers of many different languages were exploited as forced labour for plantations, while the language of the colonialists (e.g. English, Spanish, or French) was retained by the minority in power, and thus acquired a special status.

In this course we examine (i) the sociohistorical conditions for pidginization; (ii) typical structural characteristics of pidgins; (iii) the process and outcome of creolization. We will look at several casse-studies of pidgin and creole languages from different parts of the world, and then move on to more general theoretical issues that pidgin and creole language raise for linguistics. In particular, they can be viewed in the light of general simplification processes that may occur through language contact and second language acquisition, but also as providing evidence that may be relevant for understanding the origin of human language. They are also relevant to understanding the social factors (status and prestige) that operate in shaping language change.

Empfohlene Literatur:

Literature (general background)
John Holm. 2000. An Introduction to Pidgins and Creoles. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Siegel, Jeff. 2008. The emergence of pidgin and creole languages. Oxford: OUP.
Sections in: Thomason, S. G. & Kaufman, T. 1988 , Language contact, creolization and genetic linguistics, University of California Press, Berkeley.