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Course Description

From the course catalog: This course is an introduction to the study of how languages change over time. We will explore the regularity of sound change and how this can be exploited via the comparative method to build viable hypotheses that reconstruct the pronunciations of ancient languages. From these reconstructions, we will classify languages into related families and uncover the limits of our ability to peer into the linguistic past. Though the primary focus of this course is on sound change, syntactic and semantic change will also be covered. Format: lecture/discussion. Requirements: participation in discussions, weekly homework, a midterm exam, and a final exam. Prerequisites: Linguistics 100 or Linguistics 210.

The prerequisite can be satisfied by displaying knowledge of the International Phonetic Alphabet. Specifically, you should know all of the symbols for the phonemes and major allophones of English and be familiar with the symbols for non-English sounds (especially the more common sounds like front round vowels, trills, retroflexes, uvulars, etc.). You should also have a basic understanding of the geography of the vocal tract.

Readings

Lyle Campbell. 2004. Historical linguistics: An introduction. 2nd ed. MIT Press. ISBN #0262532670.

Grading

Your grade for the course is calculated as a weighted combination of your class participation (10%), homework average (50%), midterm exam score (20%), and final exam score (20%).

Homework

Homework is generally assigned on a Tuesday and due the following Tuesday, so you should usually have a full week to work on it. Homework is available from the course website, so missing lecture is not an excuse for skipping homework. Homework is due at the beginning of class since solutions are often discussed in lecture. For this reason, late homework cannot be accepted. To compensate for this strict policy, your lowest homework grade is dropped when computing your grade for the course.

You are encouraged to work together in groups, but in accordance with the Williams College Honor Code, you must write up your own solutions, in your own words, listing the names of all students you consulted with. Suspected violations will be pursued to the full extent of College policy!

Your homework should be either neatly written or typed in a reasonable font with reasonable spacing and margins for writing comments (e.g. 10–12pt font, double-spaced prose, 1–1.5" margins, using only one side of the page). Please, do not submit spiral-bound paper with ragged edges! Staple (rather than paper clip or fold) multiple pages together. Be sure to put your name on every page in case they get separated.

Exams

There are two exams: a midterm and a final. Both exams are essay-style take-home exams that are somewhat more difficult and comprehensive than a typical homework assignment. Unlike with regular homework, you are not allowed to work on these exams with anyone else! Suspected violations of the Honor Code will be pursued to the full extent of College policy!

Tentative Schedule

See syllabus hardcopy for detailed schedule.