Module manager: Dr Pier Pischedda
Email: p.s.pischedda@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
Students are required to have completed the following module: - MODL1060 Language: Structure and Sound Students who have not completed MODL1060 Language: Structure and Sound should be prepared to do some additional reading to familiarise themselves with linguistic concepts built on in this module. Chapters 1 to 6 of Genetti’s How languages work: An introduction to language and linguistics (Cambridge University Press, 2014) are a good starting point.
| MODL1060 | Language: Structure and Sound |
| LING3290 | Language Change |
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module introduces students to the study of language change. All languages undergo constant change over time, and they do not do so randomly; moreover, they do so in ways that do not hinder communication between language users of different ages. This module provides insights into how this works. It outlines the most frequently observed linguistic changes over time and discusses theories of why these changes occur and others do not. It covers changes in the meanings use of words and phrases, changes in pronunciation, and a range of grammatical changes in a wide range of languages. It focuses on language-internal factors driving these changes, as opposed to factors such as language contact, and shows that most language change happens because of some fundamental properties of human language; because of recurrent patterns of language use in everyday communication; and because of how languages are passed on from generation to generation. Students are expected to have been introduced to linguistics on a Level 1 module in linguistics or English language before enrolling on this module. Please note this is an optional module and runs subject to enrolments. If a low number of students choose this module, then the module may not run and you may be asked to choose another module.
Through lectures, practical workshops and online resources, this module aims to:
(1) acquaint students with crucial questions that studies of language change address: what linguistic changes are observed frequently across languages, how do changes spread throughout speech communities, and what, if anything, causes languages to change in the way they do?
(2) survey recurrent patterns of language change, including sound change, semantic change, morphological change and syntactic change
(3) explore the relationship between language variation and change, and consider the extent to which insights from psycholinguistics, sociolinguistics, language acquisition studies and phonetics inform our understanding of how language change works
(4) outline some of the main developments in historical linguistics over the past centuries, and introduce students to recent research through seminar discussions of journal articles
(5) develop students' analysis skills through the practical analysis of patterns of change from a variety of languages
(6) develop students' communication and research skills through assessed coursework assignments
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
LO(1) Examine the key questions addressed by studies of language change and the major developments in historical linguistics over the past centuries
LO(2) Analyse recurrent patterns of language change and data illustrating these patterns.
LO(3) Undertake independent research in the area of language change.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
SO(4) Apply core skills in analysing linguistic data
SO(5) Formulate a coherent and logical argument using effective communication skills.
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Practical | 9 | 1 | 9 |
| Private study hours | 181 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 19 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Students are given informal feedback on data-oriented work in the workshop sessions and are given the opportunity to discuss their essay plan with the lecturer before submission. Students will receive specific guidance on how to prepare for the analysis task towards the end of the semester.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Essay | 60 |
| Coursework | Analysis Task | 40 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 02/05/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team