Introduction to Linguistic Science: Stephen Wilson

Course Overview:

Language is, as far as we know, unique to the human species. It builds our societies, defines our consciousness, identifies our culture, and even influences our perceptions of reality. We learn its complexities at an age when we cannot add single digits or tie our own shoes. How does language work?  How do individual languages relate to each other and evolve through time? How do linguists analyze languages? How does all of this aid with the study of individual languages? All of these questions are part of the subject of this seminar:  linguistics, the scientific study of language. Specific topics include language, the brain, and consciousness; the production and perception of sounds around the world; words, sentences, and grammar; semantics, idioms, poetry and humor; language evolution and relationships; and the politics of language. Do the Eskimos really have 87 words for snow?  Can dolphins talk? Why is English so weird? Why would some people object to the word “Eskimo” in the earlier sentence?  And why do we park on driveways and drive on parkways?

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