Language in Communication: Invitation to Linguistics 2500-OG-EN-LICITL

The seminar discusses the main characteristics of language signs and natural human languages in general, against the background of other semiotic systems and other types of signs used by people. It introduces a number of basic linguistic notions such as: a linguistic unit, system, subsystems of language, speech act etc. With regard in particular to the structuralist tradition, the course gives an overall idea of how “language machinery” works, thus building up basic language consciousness among students. Also, some problems of linguistic pragmatics are addressed, such as the reasons why people communicate in an implicit way or basic mechanisms of interpreting indirect speech acts (deriving implicit meanings).
For a detailed list of topics see the didactic cycle description.

W cyklu 2022/23Z:

1. What makes our language competence. Language signs among other types of signs: conventional vs. natural; double-class (productivity of language) vs. single class; arbitrary (fully, partially) vs. iconic. The speaker presenting him/herself in communication - symptomaticity and conventionality of body language. Abstractness: identity and opposition as key notions of language.
2. Double articulation of language – two kinds of language units (phonemes, morphemes). Phonemic signs vs non-phonemic. Design features of human language – resumé: universality (reflexiveness), conventionality, arbitrariness, double-class, double articulation, vocal-auditory channel, abstractness (displacement), prevarication, learnability.
3. Speech act structure. Indexes and predicates. The structure of predicates (predicate-argument structure [PAS]). Arguments vs modifiers. Descriptions. Identifying language units.
4. Subsystems of language: phonological, word-formative, inflectional, syntactical and lexical. Phonetic <> content level of utterance (text-sense). Syntagmatic vs paradigmatic relations between language items; synonymy (equivalence) – exclusion – hyponyny (implication). Thematic-rhematic structure of sentences. Langue vs parole.
5. Lexical fields. Synchronic vs diachronic linguistics. Definability of concepts. “Lingua mentalis” by Anna Wierzbicka – primary and universal units of language. Language as a classifier of reality.
6. Stylistic differentiation of language – criteria: territorial identity of the speaker and the hearer / social identity – social distance between the interlocutors – oral / written form of utterance – communicative situation – communicative goal. Communicative roles. Functional styles of language and speech genres. The principle of communicative adequacy (decorum).
7. Language functions according to K. Bühler and R. Jakobson. The relation between higher language functions as defined by K. Popper and evolution of consciousness. Human language vs animal languages.
8. Locutional, illocutional, and perlocutional aspects of speech act. Explicit and implicit communication: direct/indirect speech acts <> overt/latent (manipulative). Why do people communicate in an implicit way? Understanding the speaker’s intentions: data taken into account by the addressee; linguistic competence vs communicative competence.
9. Introduction to pragmatics. The principle of communicative cooperation: conversational logic by Paul Grice.
10. Final test.

W cyklu 2023/24Z:

Całkowity nakład pracy studenta

Contact hours with teacher: - participation in seminar 20 hrs - consultations 5 hrs Self-study hours: - preparation for seminar 25 hrs - writing essays/ papers/ projects 0 hrs - reading literature 25 hrs - preparation for test 25 hrs - preparation for examination 0 hrs Altogether: 100 hrs (4 ECTS)

Efekty uczenia się - wiedza

Student W1: has basic knowledge of linguistic (systemic) mechanisms underlying communication W2: knows basic linguistic terminology W3: is familiar with basic features of natural languages W4: is familiar with the model of interpersonal communication W5: is acquainted with language subsystems

Efekty uczenia się - umiejętności

Student U1: is able to explain basic linguistic notions and apply them to linguistic analysis U2: is able to characterise basic features of natural human languages U3: is able to characterise basic language functions

Efekty uczenia się - kompetencje społeczne

Student K1: is aware of the role of language in human communication and cognition

Metody dydaktyczne

Expository teaching methods: - participatory lecture -problem-based lecture -discussion Exploratory teaching methods: -classic problem-solving -case study -brainstorming

Rodzaj przedmiotu

przedmiot fakultatywny

Wymagania wstępne

none

Koordynatorzy przedmiotu

Izabela Duraj-Nowosielska

Kryteria oceniania

Assessment methods:
- active participation (min. 70%)
- passing the final test

Assessment criteria:
Fail: < 8 pts / 15 (<53%)
Satisfactory: 8-9 pts / 15 (53-60%)
satisfactory plus- 9,5-10,5 pts / 15 (63-70%)
good – 11-12 pts / 15 (73-80%)
good plus- 12,5-13,5 pts / 15 (83-90%)
very good- 14-15 pts / 15 (93-100%)

Praktyki zawodowe

Not apllicable

Literatura

BASIC LITERATURE
1. Lyons J.: Language and Linguistics: an Introduction. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press 1997. {https://pl.scribd.com/doc/124738417/John-Lyons-Language-and-Linguistics-an-Introduction}
2. Milewski T.: Introduction to the Study of Language, Mouton de Gruyter 1973.
https://www-1degruyter-1com-100067fkk053c.han3.uci.umk.pl/document/doi/10.1515/9783110813630/html

RECOMMENDED READING (CHOICE THEREOF)
3. Austin J. L.: How to Do Things with Words. Oxford: OUP 1986. Chpt. VII & XII [Locution, illocution, perlocution. Illocutional forces.]
4. Berne E.: Games People Play. The Psychology of Human Relationships. NY: Grove Press 1964. {http://opac.bu.umk.pl/webpac-bin/B_horizonPL/wgbroker.exe?2017082500013005024300+1+scan+select+3+0}
5. Cialdini R. B.: Influence: the Psychology of Persuasion. NY: Harper Business 2006. {http://opac.bu.umk.pl/webpac-bin/B_horizonPL/wgbroker.exe?2017082500013005024300+1+search+select++2+1}
6. Goffman E.: Interaction Ritual: Essays in Face-to-Face Behavior. London: Penguin Books.
7. Grice P.: Logic and conversation, [in:] P. Cole, J. L. Morgan (eds.), Syntax and Semantics vol. 3. NY: Academic Press 1975, 41-58. {http://www.ucl.ac.uk/ls/studypacks/Grice-Logic.pdf}
8. Leary M.: Self-presentation: Impression Management and Interpersonal Behavior. NY: Avalon Publishing 1996.
9. Leech G.: Principles of Pragmatics. London, NY: Longman 1989.
10. Rosenberg M. B.: Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life. Encinitas, Ca.: Puddledancer Press 2003.
11. Saussure de, F.: Course in General Linguistics. [Introduction; Chpt III: The Object of Study; Chpt IV: Linguistics of Language Structure and Linguistics of Speech; Part I Chpt I: Nature of the Linguistic Sign; Part I Chpt II: Invariability and Variability of the Sign; Part I Chpt III: Static Linguistics and Evolutionary Linguistics, § 1-4; Part II Chpt. III: Identities, Realities, Values; Part II Chpt IV: Linguistic Value.] Chicago and La Salle, Illinois: Open Court 1986.
12. Schulz von Thun F.: Sztuka rozmawiania, t. 1 Analiza zaburzeń. Cracow: Wyd. WAM 2007 / Miteinander reden 1 – Störungen und Klärungen. Allgemeine Psychologie der Kommunikation. Rowohlt, Reinbek 1981. (no English translation)
13. Searle J.: Speech Acts: An Essay in the Philosophy of Language. Cambridge: CUP 2009. {http://opac.bu.umk.pl/webpac-bin/B_horizonPL/wgbroker.exe?2017082500460103993772+1+search+select++2+10}
14. Sperber D., D. Wilson: Relevance. Communication and Cognition. Oxford: Basil Blackwell 1995.
15. Wierzbicka, A.: Different cultures, different languages, different speech acts, in: idem, Cross-cultural Pragmatics. The Semantics of Human Interaction. Berlin-NY, Mouton de Gruyter 1991, p. 25-66.
16. Wierzbicka A.: Speech acts and speech genres across languages and cultures, in: idem, Cross-cultural Pragmatics. The Semantics of Human Interaction. Berlin-NY, Mouton de Gruyter 1991, p. 149-196.
{http://opac.bu.umk.pl/webpac-bin/B_horizonPL/wgbroker.exe?2017082421135301183856+1+search+select++18+10}
17. Wierzbicka A.: Semantics, culture, and cognition : universal human concepts in culture-specific configurations. Oxford: OUP 1992. {http://opac.bu.umk.pl/webpac-bin/B_horizonPL/wgbroker.exe?2017082421135301183856+1+search+select++18+18}

W cyklu 2022/23Z:

As in the general section

W cyklu 2023/24Z:

As in the general section

Uwagi

W cyklu 2022/23Z:

Stationary classes starting from Oct 17th

Presentations and other materials will be available at Teams:

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/team/19%3aUjjAl5YafudvtuMxkWFb_evUBZNuCKmAk7DASWfvF_I1%40thread.tacv2/conversations?groupId=f986051e-65e4-4628-8c51-05964b9bf560&tenantId=e80a627f-ef94-4aa9-82d6-c7ec9cfca324

In case of obligatory online-learning at university during the term, the meetings will be held in due time at Teams as well. The requirements and methods will remain the same.

Alternative platform for possible online learning: BigBlueButton

https://vc.umk.pl/b/iza-gk9-hp9

(used only in case of problems with Teams)

The access codes to Teams and BBB will be sent by USOS-mail.

W cyklu 2023/24Z:

Stationary classes starting from Oct 9th

Presentations and other materials will be available at Teams:

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/team/19%3aHTZP5VsiQ2w_DFW1VF68cMJqmRd_g9s32ZvmDo2-OjU1%40thread.tacv2/conversations?groupId=a80d8e8b-c89f-4d70-ae27-c63780db055c&tenantId=e80a627f-ef94-4aa9-82d6-c7ec9cfca324

The code will be sent by USOS-mail.

In case of obligatory online-learning at university during the term, the meetings will be held in due time at Teams as well. The requirements and methods will remain the same.

Consultations: Mondays, room 408 Collegium Maius, the hour will be announced later on (when the plan is ultimately fixed). At that time there is a possibility to join online consultations (though in case there is a larger amount of people, students who come in person have priority):

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/team/19%3a6exKnW3Dp5DX9VJBrRbpeiUUD_uOAiA59Lhluv7e5fk1%40thread.tacv2/conversations?groupId=1abf66f5-252f-41af-9be8-6db18a50a3de&tenantId=e80a627f-ef94-4aa9-82d6-c7ec9cfca324

open team, without an access code

Więcej informacji

Dodatkowe informacje (np. o kalendarzu rejestracji, prowadzących zajęcia, lokalizacji i terminach zajęć) mogą być dostępne w serwisie USOSweb:

Strona przedmiotu 2500-OG-EN-LICITL w USOSweb