This page is updated after each day's class.
Use it to keep track of what we've done and where we're going.
See also the schedule of topics for a general overview.
[01] M Aug 21
- Covered today: Introduction to the course; What is linguistics?
[outline]
- Handout - Course information and policies
- Additional general UNC-CH policies: "Information for Students" document
- Handout - Tips for success in this course
- Handout - Course information and policies
- To read for W Aug 23:
Contemporary Linguistics (CL) Ch 1; focus mainly on sections 2, 3
- CL Ch 1 is available as a PDF through Course Reserves (on Canvas) if your textbook hasn't arrived yet
- Homework assignment:
HW #1 | Mental grammar
- Part 1: Discussion questions — Mental grammar
- Due in your recitation on F Aug 25
- Part 2: Check-in — "Course information and policies" document and course web site
- Due by F Aug 25 at 9pm on Canvas in "Assignments"
- Part 1: Discussion questions — Mental grammar
- Optional: Use this discussion thread on Canvas to introduce yourself and get to know your classmates!
[02] W Aug 23
- Covered today: Linguistics as science; Linguistic diversity; Ethics in linguistics [outline]
- To read for M Aug 28: CL Ch 2, sec 1 and sec 4
- CL Ch 2 is available as a PDF through Course Reserves (on Canvas) if your textbook hasn't arrived yet
- Homework assignment:
HW #1 | Mental grammar
- Part 1: Discussion questions — Mental grammar
- Due in your recitation on F Aug 25
- Part 2: Check-in — "Course information and policies" document and course web site
- Due by F Aug 25 at 9pm on Canvas in "Assignments"
- Part 1: Discussion questions — Mental grammar
- Optional: Use this discussion thread on Canvas to introduce yourself and get to know your classmates!
[03] M Aug 28
- Covered today: Intro to phonetics
[outline]
- Interactive vocal-tract diagram by Daniel Currie Hall
- To read for W Aug 30 in CL Ch 2: Phonetics for consonants
- Read sec 2 (focus on 2.3), 3, and 5 (review sec 4 as needed)
- Refer to example words in Table 2.16 in sec 7
- CL Ch 2 is available as a PDF through Course Reserves (on Canvas) if your textbook hasn't arrived yet
- Homework assignment For new students only! —
HW #1 | Mental grammar
- Part 1: Discussion questions — Mental grammar
- Contact your recitation TA for how to turn it in if you haven't already
- Part 2: Check-in — "Course information and policies" document and course web site
- You may submit this by today (M Aug 28) at 9pm on Canvas in "Assignments"
- Part 1: Discussion questions — Mental grammar
[04] W Aug 30
- Class cancelled
- Self-paced learning activities (in place of F Sept 1 recitation)
- Notes:
- Please complete these before class on W Sept 6
- Your TA may provide a Zoom link to be available for questions during your recitation time on F Sept 1
- Watch this MRI video of a person speaking (YouTube) — just watch and try to get a sense of how quickly the articulators move
- Work through these slides — be sure to use the links to hear or see sound articulations
- Review consonant properties and symbols with this LING 101 Quizlet deck, "Practicing with consonant symbols and properties"
- For more information or extra practice, you can also explore the phonetics links on the Online resources web page
- Notes:
- To read for W Sept 6: CL Ch 2, sec 6
- Refer to example words in Table 2.17 in sec 7
- CL Ch 2 is available as a PDF through Course Reserves (on Canvas) if your textbook hasn't arrived yet
- FYI: No new homework assigned this week
M Sept 4
- Labor Day — no class
[05] W Sept 6
- Covered today: Vowels of "standard" American English — symbols and properties
[outline]
- Quizlet deck - Practicing with vowel symbols and properties
- See also the Online resources page for extra practice with phonetics
- To read for M Sept 11: CL Ch 3, sec 1, "Segments"
- We will be working with this material for several lectures
- Focus on sections 1.1 ("Phonemes and allophones"), 1.2 ("Minimal pairs"), and 1.3 ("Complementary distribution")
- Homework assignment:
HW #2 | Consonant and vowel phonetics
- Due at the beginning of class M Sept 11
- Discussion available: Discussion topic
for phonetics (CL Ch 2) available on Canvas
- Ask questions — the TAs and I will keep an eye out for posts
- You are also encouraged to answer questions from your classmates!
[06] M Sept 11
- Covered today: Phonology — Sound categories in the mental grammar
[outline]
- Hear the Hindi examples discussed in class
- To read for W Sept 13:
- Review CL Ch 3, section 1
- Focus on sections 1.4 ("Language-specific contrasts"), 1.5 ("In the absence of minimal pairs"), 1.6 ("Differences in the distribution of allophones across languages"), and 1.7 ("Phonetic and phonemic representations")
- Read the first part of the Appendix (pp 107-109), "Hints for solving phonology problems"
- Note: Point 3 demonstrates phonological rules using features (with +/- values); in our class we will do this with sound properties such as nasal or high
- Review CL Ch 3, section 1
- Keep practicing: Keep reviewing phonetic symbols and sound properties!
- Quizlet LING 101 flash card decks: [consonants] [vowels]
- See Online resources page for more phonetics resources and practice links
- Discussion available: Discussion topic
for phonetics (CL Ch 2) available on Canvas
- Ask questions — the TAs and I will keep an eye out for posts
- You are also encouraged to answer questions from your classmates!
[07] W Sept 13
- Covered today: Natural classes, stating allophone environments, and phonological rules [outline]
- To read/watch for M Sept 18:
- Review CL Ch 3, section 1 and the first part of the Appendix (pp 107-109)
- Optional: For more about solving phonology problems, watch the "Kenyang back stops" video linked from the Online resources page
- Homework assignment: HW #3 | Phonology
- Due at the beginning of class M Sept 18
- If you need help typing phonetic symbols, there is information here
- Keep practicing: Keep reviewing sounds, symbols, and properties!
- Quizlet LING 101 flash card decks: [consonants] [vowels]
- See Online resources page for extra practice with phonology (and phonetics)
[08] M Sept 18
- Covered today: Practice with phonological rules; sound properties and natural classes in rules [outline]
- To read for W Sept 20:
- CL Ch 9, chapter intro (pp 347-8), sec 1 ("The study of language acquisition"), and sec 2 ("Phonological development")
- Keep practicing: Keep reviewing sounds, symbols, and properties!
- Quizlet LING 101 flash card decks: [consonants] [vowels]
- See Online resources page for extra practice with phonology (and phonetics)
[09] W Sept 20
- Covered today: Children's acquisition of phonology [outline]
- To read for W Sept 27:
- CL Ch 4, from chapter intro through Table 4.1 (pp 121-123)
- CL Ch 4, all of sec 1, "Words and word structure"
- CL Ch 4, Appendix (pp 153-4)
- CL Ch 5, sec 1.1, "Categories of words"
- Homework assignment: HW #4 | Phonological rules and
acquisition of phonology
- Due at the beginning of class W Sept 27
- If you need help typing phonetic symbols, there is information here
M Sept 25
- Well-being day — no class
[10] W Sept 27
- Covered today: Introduction to morphology [outline]
- To read for W Oct 4:
- Review CL Ch 4, all of sec 1, "Words and word structure"
-
Read CL Ch 4, sec 2 (except 2.2), sec 3, sec 4 (on derivation, compounding, inflection)(actually for M Oct 9)
- Upcoming: Exam #1 is on M Oct 2
- Exam #1 information and review guide
- You will write on the exam paper — no need for blue books or scantron sheets
[11] M Oct 2
- Exam #1
- To read for W Oct 4:
- Review CL Ch 4, all of sec 1, "Words and word structure"
-
Read CL Ch 4, sec 2 (except 2.2), sec 3, sec 4 (on derivation, compounding, inflection)(actually for M Oct 9)
[12] W Oct 4
- Covered today: Word structure; word formation [outline]
- To read for M Oct 9:
- CL Ch 4, sec 2 (except 2.2), on derivation
- Optional: CL Ch 4, sec 3, on compounding
- CL Ch 4, sec 4, on inflection
- CL Ch 9, sec 4, on acquisition of morphology
- Homework assignment: HW #5 | Morphology
- Due at the beginning of class M Oct 9
[13] M Oct 9
- Covered today: Inflectional and derivational morphology; Morphological acquisition [outline]
- To read/watch for W Oct 11:
- CL Ch 1, sec 2, on language, creativity, and (un)grammaticality
- LingVids video "Are sentences more like a bracelet or a mobile? Syntax video #1" (YouTube; 5:15)
- CL Ch 5, sec 1.4 on tests for phrase structure (and think about how this relates to the video)
- Note: We will read CL Ch 5, sec 1.2-1.3 for M Oct 16 - you can preview this if you like
[14] W Oct 11
- Covered today: Introduction to syntax — Grammaticality and constituency [outline]
- To read for M Oct 16:
- CL Ch 5, sec 1.2-1.3 on phrase structure and sentences
- CL Ch 5, Appendix on "Merge" (pp 207-209)
- Homework assignment: HW #6 | Morphology and syntax
- Due at the beginning of class M Oct 16
[15] M Oct 16
- Covered today: The X' schema; Heads and phrases
[outline]
- Answers to practice X' trees in outline | Warning: Try the trees yourself before you check the answers!
- To read for W Oct 18:
- Review CL Ch 5, sec 1.3, "Sentences"
- CL Ch 5, sec 2, "Complement options"
- Practice: New links for extra syntax practice
have been added to the Online resources page
- See especially:
- Quizlet flash cards for practicing X' syntax basics
- Videos by Caroline Heycock discussing constituency tests
- Don't forget that you can also ask questions in the Canvas discussion forums!
- See especially:
[16] W Oct 18
- Covered today: Sentences as phrases; Complement options
[outline]
- Answers to practice X' trees in outline | Warning: Try the trees yourself before you check the answers!
- To read and watch for M Oct 23:
- CL Ch 5, sec 5.1 (modifiers)
- CL Ch 6, sec 3.2 (ambiguity)
- Video:
Structural ambiguity, by Ling Vids (4:28)
- Note: Tree details are different from ours, but the point about which phrase the PP attaches inside is the part we are interested in
- Optional homework assignment: HW #7 | Syntax
- Due at the beginning of class M Oct 23
- Optional — replaces a lower HW grade if you complete it
- A good chance to practice with X' structures for phrases and sentences
[17] M Oct 23
- Covered today: Structural ambiguity; Modifiers
[outline]
- Answers to practice X' trees in outline | Warning: Try the trees yourself before you check the answers!
- To read for W Oct 25:
- CL Ch 5, sec 2.3, "Clauses as complements"
- CL Ch 5, sec 3, "Move"
- CL Ch 5 Appendix, "Using Move" (pp 209-210)
- Practice: New links for extra syntax practice
have been added to the Online resources page
- Don't forget that you can also ask questions in the Canvas discussion forums!
[18] W Oct 25
- Covered today: Clauses as complements; Movement rules [outline]
- To read for M Oct 30:
- CL Ch 5, sec 4 through p 195 (section intro and the French discussion)
- Homework assignment: HW #8 | Syntax
- Due at the beginning of class M Oct 30
- More practice with syntax trees: Here are some useful links on the
Online resources page
- See the "Diagramming Questions" video for a detailed discussion of movement rules
- There's also an overview of question formation in the video "Trace Evidence"
- Note that the tree structures in these videos have some minor differences from our model
- See also Gretchen McCullough's blog post "So you asked the internet how to draw syntax trees. Here's why you're confused."
- McCullough's blog post about tree structure that is closest to the X' model in our course is, slightly confusingly, the one called "A Sentence is an IP" (even though our textbook uses the more-modern label T/TP).
[19] M Oct 30
- Covered today: Do Insertion; Syntax beyond English
[outline]
- Data set - Japanese: Syntactic structure
- To read for W Nov 1:
- Review CL Ch 9, sec 1, "The study of language acquisition"
- CL Ch 9, sec 5, "Syntactic development"
[20] W Nov 1
- Covered today: Acquisition of syntax [outline]
- Prepare: Exam #2 on M Nov 6
- Exam #2 information and review guide
- Opportunities for review in recitation on Friday
- You will write on the exam paper — no need for blue books or scantron sheets
[21] M Nov 6
- Exam #2
[22] W Nov 8
- Covered today: First and second language acquisition [outline]
- To read for M Nov 13:
- Background to today's discussion:
- CL Ch 9, sec 6
- CL Ch 10, sec 1
- For Monday's discussion:
- CL Ch 6, sec 1 — focus on sec 1.2 and "Extension and intension" in sec 1.3
- Background to today's discussion:
- Assignment: HW #9
(on Canvas, in "Assignments")
is a quick survey about how you find out about and choose courses
- This survey will help the Linguistics department get information about courses out to students
- Everyone who completes this survey and submits their confirmation code by M Nov 13 will have an A for HW #9
- FYI: Interested in more linguistics?
- List of LING courses for Spring 2024
- Course flyers (for selected courses)
- More info about the LING major and minor
[23] M Nov 13
- Covered today: Word and sentence meaning [outline]
- To read for W Nov 15:
- CL Ch 6, sec 1.2 (review)
- CL Ch 6, sec 4.1, especially "Presupposition"
- CL Ch 6, sec 4.4, "Grice's conversational maxims"
[24] W Nov 15
- Covered today: Sentence meaning relations; indirect communication [outline]
- To read for M Nov 20:
- CL Ch 1, sec 3, "Grammar and linguistic competence" (review)
- CL Ch 13, chapter intro and sec 1-2 on language variation and regional dialects
- Homework assignment: HW #10 | Semantics and pragmatics
- Due at the beginning of class M Nov 20 (on paper! email submissions are for emergencies only and require advance permission from your TA)
- Practice: Resources available on the Online resources page
- Quizlet: How are these sentence meanings related?
- Some videos discussing sentence meaning relations and indirect communication
[25] M Nov 20
- Covered today: Language in society; regional variation in language [outline]
- To read for M Nov 27:
- CL Ch 13, sec 6, "Class, ethnicity, and gender"
- FYI: Language variation resources available on the Online resources page
W Nov 22
- Thanksgiving — no class
[26] M Nov 27
- Covered today: Language variation — social factors [outline]
- To read for W Nov 29:
- CL Ch 8, sec 1, "The nature of language change")
- CL Ch 8, sec 7, "Language reconstruction" (especially 7.1, 7.2)
- FYI: Even more language variation resources available on the Online resources page
[27] W Nov 29
- Covered today: Historical linguistics — genetically related languages, comparative reconstruction, sound change [outline]
- To read for M Dec 4:
- CL Ch 8, sec 2.4 on phonological change
- CL Ch 8, sec 3.1-3.2, 3.4 on morphological change
- CL Ch 8, sec 4.2 on syntactic change
- Homework assignment: HW #11 | Sociolinguistics
- Submit your answers on Canvas (in "Assignments") by M Dec 4, 10:10am
- Late submissions for HW #11 accepted only through M Dec 11, 11:59pm
[28] M Dec 4
- Covered today: Language change and mental grammar [outline]
- Prepare: Final exam will be Th Dec 14, 8-11am
- Final exam information and review guide (available soon)
- Remember to look at the feedback on your HW assignments and past exams (not just the grade!)
- Links and extra practice on the Online resources page
- Reminder: The deadline for submitting HW #11 late is M Dec 11, 11:59pm
- Covered today: What to remember about language; Research in linguistics [outline]
- Prepare: Final exam will be Th Dec 14, 8-11am
- Final exam information and review guide
- Remember to look at the feedback on your HW assignments and past exams (not just the grade!)
- Links and extra practice on the Online resources page
- Reminder: The deadline for submitting HW #11 late is M Dec 11, 11:59pm