Knowledge of the African language 3600-7-AF2-WJA(Z)
The course is structured as a lecture, covering the history, geographical, and sociolinguistic characteristics of an African language (Amharic, Hausa, or Swahili), but primarily focuses on describing the language's system. The section on segmental and suprasegmental units of sound structure discusses phonemes, tone, consonant articulation, vowel length, intonation, and syllable structure, as well as phonological phenomena characteristic of a given African language (e.g., palatalization, gemination, elision, assimilation, dissimilation, etc.). Morphology covers the structure of roots and various types of morphemes characteristic of words representing different parts of speech. The lecture also covers the rules of word formation within nominal and verbal formations. Syntax covers the structural features of complex sentences and sentence order. The lecture emphasizes the structural differences of a given African language compared to other African languages and European languages.
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Term 2025Z:
The course is intended to give the description of Swahili language structure on the syntactic level, trying to emphasize some points of |
Term 2026Z:
The section on segmental and suprasegmental units of sound structure discusses phonemes, tone, vowel length, intonation, and syllable structure. Morphology encompasses various types of morphemes characteristic of words representing different parts of speech. Due to the complexity of morphological transformations within two word classes, nouns and verbs, the characteristics of the plural forms of nouns and the verbal gradation system are presented using numerous linguistic examples. The lecture also covers the rules of word formation within nominal and verbal formations. Syntax covers the structural features of complex sentences (including a specific type – the relative clause) and word order. |
Course coordinators
Term 2026Z: | Term 2024Z: | Term 2025Z: |
Type of course
General: obligatory courses foreign languages | Term 2026Z: foreign languages obligatory courses |
Mode
General: Classroom | Term 2025Z: Blended learning | Term 2026Z: Classroom |
Prerequisites (description)
Learning outcomes
- has basic knowledge in the range of theory of humanities (literary studies or linguistics or history) necessary to understand chosen cultural aspects
- has extensive knowledge of one African language (amharic, hausa, or swahili), its structure, history, script, and has a basic knowledge of the second African or Arabic language
- is aware of the complex nature of the chosen African language, its place and significance in the cultural and historical context of African countries
- is aware of the linguistic variety and its influence on the cultural and political situation of the world
- has a good command of one African language (Amharic, Hausa, or Swahili) at the intermediate level and of one African language or Arabic at the basic level
- set appropriate goals and ways to achieve them in the context of academic, professional and social activity
- acts in aid of sharing and promoting cultural and linguistic heritage of African countries
Assessment criteria
Attendance control - a student can be absent max. twice during the semester; in the case of absence due to illness, the medical certificate
excusing this absence should be submitted within seven work days of the last day of the leave specified in the certificate.
Final written exam after two semester courses with required credits
Practical placement
does not apply
Bibliography
Established separately for each language (Swahili, Hausa or Amharic)
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Term 2025Z:
Basic literature: |
Term 2026Z:
Required readings |