Introduction to Linguistics 3300-WDJ-MSF-1-ZIP
The aim of this course is to introduce general knowledge about the natural language system and the communication process: What is language, what functions does it serve in communication and social life? How do languages and their users behave in situations of language contact?
The classes discuss the following topics:
- language and linguistics – basic definitions: the language system and language use, the subject of study, and the main branches of linguistics.
- the act of communication and the functions of language/utterance as defined by R. Jakobson.
- the linguistic sign in comparison to other signs: the semiotics and classification of signs as presented by Ch. Peirce, and the theory of linguistic signs as presented by F. de Saussure.
- natural language: distinctive features (arbitrariness, two-level, two-class and productive, universality), linguistic change, and classification of languages;
- language community and language varieties: linguistic repertoire, linguistic norms and their variation, dialect – vernacular – regional language, sociolect, urban languages;
- language contact: individual and social multilingualism, examples of phenomena related to language contact (mixed languages, code-switching), language policy.
- language and meaning-making (semantics): meaning as denotation and connotation, the semiotic triangle, semantic relations, metonymy and metaphor as mechanisms of polysemy
- language and action (pragmatics): performativity of language – the pragmatics of speech acts as approached by J.L. Austin and J. Searle; language and interpersonal relationships – the pragmatics of politeness as approached by P. Brown and S. Levinson.
The knowledge imparted during the course provides a theoretical foundation for classes of diplomacy, intercultural communication, and linguistics courses within the philological minima, developing students' social competences in communication. It can also be used in research within the disciplines of literary studies and the studies on culture & religion.
The course is conducted within the “Integrated Teaching & Learning Development Programme – ZIP 2.0”, which is co-financed by the European Social Fund – the European Funds for Social Development Programme 2021–2027 (FERS) (contract no.: FERS.01.05-IP.08-0365/23-00).
Prerequisites (description)
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
K_W01 The student has the knowledge and understanding of the place and the meaning of linguistics as a discipline of human sciences.
K_W05 The student has an advanced knowledge and understanding of the specialist terminology, methodology, subject, and research trends which are characteristic of contemporary linguistics.
K_W11 The student has the knowledge and the understanding of the functions of the language within complex processes of social communication.
K_U01 The student can apply basic theoretical constructs within contemporary linguistics to conduct an analysis of phenomena of language and communication.
K_U09 The student can communicate within the field of linguistics with the help of various communicative strategies, using specialist terminology.
K_K04 The student is ready to show respect and care for language and its diversity as a component of cultural heritage.
Assessment criteria
Metody i kryteria oceniania
Teaching methods:
Conversational lecture, flipped classroom, guided discussion, group work, worksheets, and case study.
Course completion criteria:
Two written tests – midterm and final test.
The tests consist of single- and multiple-choice questions, as well as short open-ended questions covering theoretical issues and case studies using the linguistic concepts discussed in classes. The grade at the end of the semester is the average of the grades from both tests.
Scoring scale:
60-67 % - 3
68-76 % - 3+
77-83 % - 4
84-89 % - 4+
90-94 % - 5
95-100 % - 5!
During the course, there is also planned an ongoing self-evaluation of knowledge and skills through worksheets completed individually or in teams, and through participation in class discussions.
Attendance policy:
Two absences are permitted. Unexcused absences will require additional assignments (exercises, presentations, etc. – depending on the number of absences). Attendance at least 60% of the classes is required to receive a passing grade.
Bibliography
Basic sources
1. Ahearn, L. (2013), Antropologia lingwistyczna. Wprowadzenie, Kraków: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego.
2. Antas, J. (2008), O kłamstwie i kłamaniu, Kraków: Universitas (rozdz. „Kłamstwa grzecznościowe”).
3. Austin, J. L. (2004), „Performatywy i wypowiedzi konstatujące”, [w:] J. Bartmiński, S. Niebrzegowska-Bartmińska, J. Szadura (red.), Akty i gatunki mowy, Lublin: Wydawnictwo UMCS, s. 16-23.
4. Dialekty i gwary polskie. Kompedium internetowe pod red. H. Karaś, http://www.dialektologia.uw.edu.pl/index.php.
5. Grzegorczykowa, R. (2007), Wstęp do językoznawstwa, Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN.
6. Jakobson, R. (1960), Poetyka w świetle językoznawstwa, „Pamiętnik Literacki”, 51(2), s. 134-141.
7. Łuczyński, E., Maćkiewicz, J. (2006), Językoznawstwo ogólne. Wybrane zagadnienia, Gdańsk: Wydawnictwo UG.
8. Milewski, T. (2004), Językoznawstwo, Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN.
9. Polański, K. (red.) (1993), Encyklopedia językoznawstwa ogólnego, Wrocław: Zakład Narodowy im. Ossolińskich.
10. Przybylska, R. (2003), Wstęp do nauki o języku polskim, Kraków: Wydawnictwo Literackie.
11. Saussure, F. (de), (1991) [1961], Kurs językoznawstwa ogólnego, Warszawa: PWN.
12. Tabakowska, E. (2001), Kognitywne podstawy językoznawstwa, Kraków: Universitas.
Supplementary sources and materials
1. Austin, J.L. (1993), Jak działać słowami? [w:] Mówienie i poznawanie: rozprawy i wykłady filozoficzne, przekł. i wstęp B. Chwedeńczuk, Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN, s. 543-708.
2. Culpeper, J. et al. (red.) (2017), The Palgrave Handbook of Linguistic (Im)politeness, London: Palgrave Macmillan.
3. Dorren, G. (2019), Babel. W dwadzieścia języków dookoła świata, Kraków: Wydawnictwo Karakter.
4. Dorren, G. (2021), Gadka. W sześćdziesiąt języków dookoła Europy, Kraków: Wydawnictwo Karakter.
5. Goffman, E. (2006), Rytuał interakcyjny, Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN (rozdz. „Twarz: analiza rytualnych aspektów interakcji społecznej”).
6. Grzegorczykowa, R. (2010), Wprowadzenie do semantyki językoznawczej, Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN.
7. Hlibowicka-Węglarz, B. (2017), Pidżyny i inne języki wehikularne, „LingVaria” XII, 1(23), s. 25-41 (https://journals.akademicka.pl/lv/article/view/405/3954).
8. Hlibowicka-Węglarz, B. (2018), O cudownych formacjach, czyli rzecz o językach kreolskich, „LingVaria” XIII, 1(25), s. 21-36 (https://journals.akademicka.pl/lv/article/view/195/183).
9. Nau, N. et al. (2016), Języki w niebezpieczeństwie. Księga wiedzy, Poznań: Wydział Neofilologii UAM (https://repozytorium.amu.edu.pl/items/b6bdf726-3c22-45df-977f-061fc18f16cc).
10. „NeoTalk” – podcast Wydziału Neofilologii UW (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjW9xLqtlKL3gKWrb54aR9QmsB4uY4wZX)
- M. Danielewiczowa, Ewolucja języka i spuścizna Ferdynanda de Saussure'a, 6 października 2023.
- M. Belina, Kto mówi w języku mirandyjskim? O językach minoryzowanych, 10 czerwca 2025.
11. „Socjolingwistyka” (https://socjolingwistyka.ijppan.pl/index.php/SOCJO).
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: