Linguistic Variation

Linguistic Variation is a Cognitive Science class taught by Mark Feinstein. This course requires instructor permission.

Course Description
The study of linguistic variation is crucial for our understanding of the general nature of language as well for explicating the mechanisms of linguistic change. In this course we will focus intensively on a single aspect of variation in English--the dialects spoken in Ireland. The stereotypical 'brogue' of Irish English (or Hiberno-English) is actually a set of regional and social variants that differ significantly from one another in their phonology, morphology, syntax and lexicon. They are also quite different in many respects from familiar American (or even British) dialects. None have been well-described in the professional literature. Using primary recorded and written materials, students will work closely with the instructor and contribute to an on-going research project aimed at characterizing Irish English more fully. Prerequisite: At least one course in linguistics or related area. This course satisfies Division I distribution requirements.

Learning Goals

 * Quantitative
 * Project-based