- Department: Language and Linguistic Science
- Credit value: 20 credits
- Credit level: H
- Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
- See module specification for other years: 2024-25
Morphology is the study of the structure of words. Languages can differ significantly in the magnitude of this role. In this module we look at a variety of languages to understand the range of possibilities. Students are introduced to different approaches to morphological analysis. Key questions are addressed, such as the extent to which we can use principles from other components of language, in particular phonology and syntax, to account for the patterns observed, as well as the consideration of principles that may be particularly important for morphology in comparison with other areas of language.
Pre-requisite modules
Co-requisite modules
- None
Prohibited combinations
- None
Occurrence | Teaching period |
---|---|
A | Semester 1 2023-24 |
This module provides an overview of the field of morphology, the study of the structure of words, drawing evidence from a wide variety of languages. The module investigates the structure of words and introduces theoretical approaches to morphological analysis. Topics covered include types of morphological analysis, inflection, derivation, polysemy, inflection, and productivity of morphological processes. The module also explores how morphology interacts with syntax and phonology, building on syntax and phonology skills acquired in the first year.
Employability skills
This module will allow students to develop skills in data analysis, particularly through the use of morphological datasets.
By the end of the module students will be able to:
analyse the internal structure of words in different languages
compare and contrast abstract theories and how they apply to practical data
evaluate different morphological analyses
evaluate different frameworks of morphology
The weekly module format is as follows:
Scheduled lecture (1 hour)
Scheduled seminar (1 hour): discussion of datasets
The module covers different types of morphological analysis, including different key concepts that have shaped or are debated within the discipline. We will cover how morphology (word structure) interacts with syntax (sentence structure), as well as the role of derivational morphology in creating new words and how we can characterise or predict whether particular morphological rules apply (productivity). We will also have an overview of the different morphological types across a representative range of languages.
Task | % of module mark |
---|---|
Essay/coursework | 30 |
Open Exam (7-day week) | 70 |
None
Task | % of module mark |
---|---|
Essay/coursework | 30 |
Open Exam (7-day week) | 70 |
Written feedback to be provided within the university mandated time limit.
Aronoff, M., Fudeman, K. (2022). What is Morphology?. United Kingdom: Wiley.
Brown, Dunstan, 'Morphological Typology', in Jae Jung Song (ed.), The Oxford Handbook of Linguistic Typology (2010; online edn, Oxford Academic, 18 Sept. 2012).