122254 AR Linguistics Course (Advanced 1-5) - Appl. & TEFL (2012S)
Empirical approaches to linguistic relativity
Continuous assessment of course work
Labels
The notion of linguistic relativity denotes that the language we speak has an influence on the way we think. More specifically, it means that properties of our language impact also non-linguistic cognitive operations. The possibility of such an influence is certainly one of the most intriguing, yet at the same time most controversially debated hypotheses in the research on languages.
While the idea of linguistic relativity had been around for much longer, the beginning of scientific research on the issue is associated with the works of Benjamin Lee Whorf in the middle of the 20th century. Since many of his analyses proved to be inadequate, however, and since universalist views on cognition were on the rise, research on linguistic relativity fell out of fashion and most linguists adopted the view that there is in fact little difference in the way we think regardless of differences in our native languages. Recently however the situation has changed quite dramatically, as a number of very interesting empirical findings challenge this consensus and it now seems that research on linguistic relativity is again developing into a robust enterprise.
It is the aim of this course to discuss the implications of these more recent empirical approaches to the issue, focusing on a selection of research domains, namely time metaphors, the conceptualization of motion events and possible influences of grammatical gender on the conceptualization of objects.
While the idea of linguistic relativity had been around for much longer, the beginning of scientific research on the issue is associated with the works of Benjamin Lee Whorf in the middle of the 20th century. Since many of his analyses proved to be inadequate, however, and since universalist views on cognition were on the rise, research on linguistic relativity fell out of fashion and most linguists adopted the view that there is in fact little difference in the way we think regardless of differences in our native languages. Recently however the situation has changed quite dramatically, as a number of very interesting empirical findings challenge this consensus and it now seems that research on linguistic relativity is again developing into a robust enterprise.
It is the aim of this course to discuss the implications of these more recent empirical approaches to the issue, focusing on a selection of research domains, namely time metaphors, the conceptualization of motion events and possible influences of grammatical gender on the conceptualization of objects.
Registration/Deregistration
Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).
- Registration is open from Mo 20.02.2012 00:00 to Su 26.02.2012 23:59
- Registration is open from We 29.02.2012 00:00 to Su 04.03.2012 23:59
- Deregistration possible until Sa 31.03.2012 23:59
Details
max. 24 participants
Language: English
Lecturers
Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N
- Monday 19.03. 08:30 - 10:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
- Monday 26.03. 08:30 - 10:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
- Monday 16.04. 08:30 - 10:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
- Monday 23.04. 08:30 - 10:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
- Monday 30.04. 08:30 - 10:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
- Monday 07.05. 08:30 - 10:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
- Monday 14.05. 08:30 - 10:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
- Monday 21.05. 08:30 - 10:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
- Monday 04.06. 08:30 - 10:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
- Monday 11.06. 08:30 - 10:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
- Monday 18.06. 08:30 - 10:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
- Monday 25.06. 08:30 - 10:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
Information
Aims, contents and method of the course
Assessment and permitted materials
Students will be assessed on the basis of in-class participation and a short paper.
Minimum requirements and assessment criteria
The aim of this course is to give an overview on research on linguistic relativity and familiarize students with recent empirical approaches to the issue.
Examination topics
Readings, written assignments, classroom discussions.
Reading list
Deutscher, Guy. 2010. Through the language glass: why the world looks different in other languages. New York: Metropolitan Books.Pederson, Eric. 2010. Linguistic Relativity in The Oxford Handbook of Linguistic Analysis. Bernd Heine and Heiko Narrog (eds.), Oxford University Press: 733-752.
Association in the course directory
Studium: Diplom 343, UF 344, ME 812;
Code/Modul: Diplom 225, 226/228, 236/238, 721-723, UF 4.2.3-223, ME3, ME4, ME5;
Lehrinhalt: 12-0345
Code/Modul: Diplom 225, 226/228, 236/238, 721-723, UF 4.2.3-223, ME3, ME4, ME5;
Lehrinhalt: 12-0345
Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:33
While the idea of linguistic relativity had been around for much longer, the beginning of scientific research on the issue is associated with the works of Benjamin Lee Whorf in the middle of the 20th century. Since many of his analyses proved to be inadequate, however, and since universalist views on cognition were on the rise, research on linguistic relativity fell out of fashion and most linguists adopted the view that there is in fact little difference in the way we think regardless of differences in our native languages. Recently however the situation has changed quite dramatically, as a number of very interesting empirical findings challenge this consensus and it now seems that research on linguistic relativity is again developing into a robust enterprise. It is the aim of this course to discuss the implications of these more recent empirical approaches to the issue, focusing on a selection of research domains, namely time metaphors, the conceptualization of motion events and possible influences of grammatical gender on the conceptualization of objects.