Last Update: March 28, 2011

ENG 564: COMPARATIVE SYNTAX
Linguistics Section, Department of English Studies, University of Cyprus
Spring Semester 2011: Mondays & Thursdays, 18.00 - 19.30 *** Room E 009

http://www.punksinscience.org/kleanthes/courses/UCY11S/CS/index.htm
Kleanthes Grohmann *** Email: kleanthi AT ucy DOT ac DOT cy
Room M 104, Phone: x2106 *** Office Hours: MON 15.00-17.00 & by appointment

 

DESCRIPTION

Languages of the world differ in many respects. This course focuses on syntactic variation found and ways of analyzing the diversity observed from a modern theoretical perspective. Initial emphasis will be put on clitic placement and the formation of so-called A'-dependencies, such as wh-questions and relative clauses. The twist of this course lies in the meaning of comparative — beyond the standard understanding of cross-linguistic comparison, we will compare adult language with child language (L1), typical language development with atypical or developmental with acquired disorders (impairment), native language with second languages (L2), and so on.

 

ASSESSMENT

Regular attendance is strongly advised! Besides the class lectures, you will be graded as follows:

    1. data-gathering: 20% of the final grade — February 24 & 28 (in class)
    2. presentation: 30% of the final grade — April 7 & 11 (in class)
    3. abstract: 10% of the final grade — April 29 (ca. 500 words, by email)
    4. paper: 40% of the final grade — May 15 (ca. 5,000 words, by email)
    5. presence & active participation in class throughout (± x grade points)

Don’t forget: This is a small class and if you miss one, it will be noticed. If you miss more than one, notice will taken more than once too, and if you’re not around, you can’t participate actively! As you may know, I take a tough stance on plagiarism, so familiarize yourselves with the dangers — don’t even try it. [DOWNLOAD MANIFESTO HERE] Lastly: You should meet with me regularly to discuss your work and progress!

Data-gathering: One aspect of the course will be a consideration of (Cypriot) Greek data in a modern theoretical context; for this reason, you’ll think about, collect, and submit to me relevant structures.

Presentation: You will give an in-class presentation of a topic of your choice (which may but need not be related to your research paper) of around 10 minutes or so, plus discussion (‘question period’).

Abstract: As a preamble to the full paper (see below for motivations), you’ll need to write up a short, so-called ‘abstract’ of the research you’ll be conducting throughout the semester and for the paper.

Paper: You should start thinking about your semester project early enough, since one requirement of this seminar is to write up a real research paper. All details to be sorted in class soon and in person.

 

READING

There is no textbook but we will discuss relevant articles and book chapters throughout the semester. [SHORT-TERM LOAN LIST AT THE UCY LIBRARY— and here's the email with details on those available as e-books.] You should also make an effort to read beyond the assigned readings! You can ask me for more.

Biberauer (2008): Introduction

 

SYLLABUS [update: March 10]

17 January Course Overview & Introduction incl. CAT Lectures

20 January Clausal Word Order plus theoretical background

24 January CAT Lecture: Bi-SLI Action Theory (K.K. Grohmann)

27 January Clausal Word Order plus theoretical background I

31 January Clausal Word Order plus theoretical background II

03 February BRIEF: Antisymmetry and (Bare) Phrase Structure & Linearization

07 February CAT Lecture: Gavagai! – or Constraint-Guided Learning during Lexical Development (L. Taxitari)

10 February A-Phenomena: Passivization & Cliticization

14 February A'-Phenomena: Wh-Movement & Relative Clauses

17 February Guest Lecture: An Extension of Wh-Issues — Sluicing (A. Kanikli)

21 February Binding Issues: Pronouns, Reflexives, and Referential Expressions

24 February (Cypriot) Greek Data Discussion: A'-phenomena (Wh–, relatives, operators)

28 February *** NO CLASS (in memoriam Nephie Christodoulidou) ***

03 March (Cypriot) Greek Data Discussion: A-phenomena (clitics, binding, passive)

07 March *** NO CLASS (bank holiday) ***

10 March (Cypriot) Greek Data Discussion: Summary, Theory, and Implication I

14 March (Cypriot) Greek Data Discussion: Summary, Theory, and Implication II

17 March Typical Language Development (A- & A'-phenomena)

21 March CAT Lecture: Clefting in Cypriot (A. Kanikli)

24 March Atypical & Impaired Language Development (A- & A'-phenomena)

28 March From First to Second Language Acquisition (A- & A'-phenomena)

31 March *** NO CLASS (make-up at presentations) ***

04 April Second Language Acquisition

07 April student presentations (4 times 30 minutes)

11 April student presentations (4 times 30 minutes)

14 April CAT Lecture: Dialogue Is Collaborative (A. Galati)