Learning theory and method of language change via comparing daughter languages and reconstructing ancestral languages. Language universals and typology.
Influential Linguistics Typology Concepts
Students will have achieved an understanding of the most influential concepts of Linguistics typology, including the different kinds of universals (formal, substantive, implicational, syntactic, lexical, morphological).
Application of Typological Concepts
Students will learn how to apply typological concepts to specific languages during in-class and out of class exercises.
Arguments Against Language Universals
Students will become conversant with the arguments against language universals.