Issues in African linguistics and communication 3600-7-AFS4-IALC(Z)

The course is concerned with multilingualism in its structural dimmention and some aspects of language communication in Africa. It includes a variety of phonological systems ((with focus on unique phonemic contrasts and tonality) and some typological patterns of language structures at the level of morphology and syntax, as well as some strategies of coding grammatical relations using lexical means).
The course provides basic knowledge about the history of African languages and presents methodological aspects of their reconstruction. It also discusses the question of language contact and language development resulting in the emergence of new languages of one side and language death on the other.
Communication issues are presented as the writing systems of African languages (using the Latin and the Arabic script) and some cultural determinants of language structures and discoursive practices (such as culture key-words and the system of greetings).

Term 2023Z:

Term 2024Z:

The course is concerned with multilingualism in its structural dimmention and some aspects of language communication in Africa. It includes a variety of phonological systems ((with focus on unique phonemic contrasts and tonality) and some typological patterns of language structures at the level of morphology and syntax. In this context, structural features of Bantu languages and non-verbal sentences in African languages are presented in more detail.
The course provides basic knowledge about the history of African languages and presents methodological aspects of their classification based on synchronic data. It also discusses the question of language contact and language development resulting in the emergence of new languages of one side and language death on the other. The background of these phenomena are presented through the prism of the development of contact languages in the past and today. New linguistic phenomena on the African continent are illustrated by the emergence of Nigerian Pidgin English and the development of African variants of European languages.
A separate topic relating to the changes on the linguistic map of Africa is the presence of the Arabic language in Africa and the resulting civilizational influence of the Arabic language on the languages and cultures of Africa.

Prerequisites (description)

The course is designed to discuss linguistic phenomena that are typologically characteristic of African languages. Selected issues related to language systems are presented in a contrastive approach. The course includes methodological aspects of diachronic linguistics in African studies and specific features of African languages at the level of communication. Participation in the course requires knowledge about basic concepts of linguistic analysis at the sound form, word, and sentence level.

Course coordinators

Nina Pawlak

Type of course

obligatory courses

Mode

Remote learning

Course dedicated to a programme

4EU+Courses

Learning outcomes

Reference to learning outcomes in the areas of study pertinent to humanities
Knowledge: student
K_W04 has extended and deepened knowledge of the structure, communication rules and sociolinguistic situation of the languages of Sub-Saharan Africa
K_W08 demonstrates good grasp of the basics of socio-cultural behavior in sub-Saharan Africa in the scope enabling professional intercultural communication.
Skills
K_U10 can carry out a critical analysis and interpretation of language data in a way which is appropriate to a chosen tradition, theory and research school within the scope of linguistics, employing unique approaches that take into account the knowledge in the field of African studies
Social competence
K_K03 can actively establish relations and cooperate with representatives of other cultures
K_K04 can set appropriate goals and ways to achieve them in the context of academic, professional and social activity

Assessment criteria

- attendance control
- continuous assessment of class activity (participation in the discussion about the content of the home reading)
- final assessment (written test)

Bibliography

Caron, Bernard & Petr Zima 2006. Sprachbund in the West African Sahel . Collection Afrique et langage 11, Louvain: Peeters.
Dimmendaal, Gerrit J. 2011. Historical linguistics and the comparative study of African languages. Amsterdam: John Benjamins.
Goddard, Cliff (ed.). 2006. Ethnopragmatics: Understanding Discourse in Cultural Context, Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter.
Heine, Bernd, Derek Nurse (eds). 2000. African Languages. An Introduction. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
Heine, Bernd & Derek Nurse (eds). 2008. A Linguistic Geography of Africa, Cambridge: University Press.
Kachru, B. B. (1997). World Englishes and English-using communities. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics 17,66-87.
Ong, Walter J. 1982. Orality and literacy. Methuen, London and New York.
[Polish edition] Oralność i piśmienność. Słowo poddane technologii. (przekład Józefa Topoli), Lublin: KUL 1992,
Pawlak, Nina. 2010. Języki afrykańskie. Warszawa: WUW.
Wierzbicka, Anna. 1997. Understanding cultures through their key words: English, Russian, Polish, German, and Japanese. New York/Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Wierzbicka, Anna. 1999. Język – umysł – kultura (wybór prac). Warszawa: PWN.

In addition, during the course, students receive readings that will be discussed in class.

Term 2024Z:

In addition, during the course, students receive readings that will be discussed in class.

Notes

Term 2023Z:

online course

Additional information

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 3600-7-AFS4-IALC(Z) in USOSweb