Linguistics

This course examines the nature of human language and its main characteristics, as well as the different theoretical-analytical dimensions involved in the study of language. It analyzes fundamental problems of linguistics, in particular, those related to language as a cultural, social, and cognitive phenomenon.

This course explores the truthfulness of AI, as a non-reliable source of information, from a linguistic angle. On the premise that AI-tools are increasingly used to provide “information” in professional and private settings, but in reality are producing ‘hallucinations’, false information, the course compares the logic and architecture behind large language models (LLM) used in AI-tools with the logic and architecture behind human cognition (including the capacity for language). It also delves into several aspects of human language that contribute to our inclination to take AI-generated output at face value.

This course provides a comprehensive understanding of Japanese linguistics. Starting with the position of Japanese linguistics within linguistics, the course introduces knowledge from a variety of fields, from phonetics and phonology to sociolinguistics, and develops the ability to analyze Japanese from a linguistic perspective.

This course explores this question in the context of the languages and peoples of the Danube region, focusing on German, Hungarian, Romanian, Serbian and Croatian, and Yiddish. These languages belong to two genealogically different groups (Indo-European and Uralic) and one (Yiddish) bears traces of a third group (Semitic); within Indo-European, three different sub-groups are represented (Germanic, Romance, Slavonic). The course uses data from these languages (texts in the original, idioms, proverbs, jokes, etc.) to explore language and cultural contact from both a purely linguistic perspective (language relatedness v. typological features of languages, script v. sounds, areal connections, borrowing of words, idioms, and figures of speech) and a sociolinguistic point of view (intercultural exchange, multilingualism, standardization, purism, and the relation between language and identity). It explores how Danubian languages both converge and differ, how Danubian culture is both intercultural friction and intercultural flow.

This course develops awareness of the complex relationship between spoken language and society through discussion of existing literature and through experience of experimental paradigms used to study spoken language variation. It focuses on the study of phonetic aspects of accent variation and change and so it is assumed that students are familiar with basic concepts in phonetics and phonology.  

This course examines three areas: the interaction between language structure and use on the one hand, and social structure and social norms on the other (sociolinguistics); the relationship between linguistic and cultural knowledge (anthropological linguistics); and the inter-relationship of language and other cognitive structures, especially as it is revealed through language acquisition (psycholinguistics).

The course provides a historical overview of language and gender theory and research. It examines how language is used by men and women, and the linguistic means by which they are portrayed, to understand the process of gender (re)construction in society. Topics include essentialist and constructionist views on sex and gender, essentialist and constructionist approaches to language and gender, construction of gender identities, notions of femininity and masculinity, and representation of gender and language use in specific domains. It also involves critical analyses of gendered texts from various domains.

Food Theory is a versatile, content-based language course tailored for students of diverse proficiency levels, including native English speakers, offering a rich exploration of food's culture, history, and science, where communication mistakes are seen as learning opportunities. Emphasizing interactive conversations and collaborative food-related projects, the course delves into various aspects of food, from its historical roots to its cultural significance, steering clear of mere recipe sharing. It blends the enhancement of English skills, such as vocabulary and grammar, with the cultivation of general communication abilities like active listening, body language interpretation, and strategic questioning. This comprehensive approach makes Food Theory an ideal choice for those seeking to boost their confidence and competence in both English and general communication, all within the engaging context of food studies.

This course aims to explore the current state of artificial intelligence (AI)/machine translation, and related issues and debates. The first few weeks are devoted to examining major theories and concepts in translation studies. In this process, students are expected to think about what it means to translate and how we translate. Students engage in readings and discussions, focusing on what frameworks and methods have been adopted for translation analysis. The second half of the term involves undertaking a large quantity of translations of various texts, including literary and non-literary texts. Most importantly, students run AI/machine translation themselves and explain in what aspects they are similar and different. Students also, if possible, compare their AI/machine translations with human translations, talking about what AI/machine translation can and cannot do. Finally, we discuss the impact of AI/machine translation on translators, writers, and users in the age of AI.

Topics include Traditional Theories, The basic concepts of early translation theory, Equivalence and equivalent effect, Skopos theory, and AI-based translation.