Linguistics

This course offers an introduction to translation from English to Spanish. It explores the theoretical and technical framework that underpins the practice of translation. Students develop translation skills through hands-on practice and application of knowledge, procedures, and techniques learned in class.

This is an intermediate English linguistics course which should be taken after studying the basics of linguistics. It provides students with the basic knowledge of English Language Teaching in secondary education in Japan from a practical point of view and investigates how one's knowledge of English (not only structural but also communicative) can be used to improve learners' abilities to use English. 

Course Prerequisites:  Enrollment in at least one or two of the introductory courses of linguistics offered at SILS (Introduction to Applications of Linguistics and Introduction to English Linguistics). 

This course provides students with the conceptual framework and skills for describing and analyzing Modern English. Students learn to parse simple and complex constructions in English. Topics include word classes, the structure of sentences and phrases, clause types, complex sentences and discourse styles. Students analyze variations in English through time, and evaluate influences on the structure of English in bilingual/multilingual situations such as Singapore.

Sociolinguistics is a field of linguistics which examines the relationship between language and society, as they mutually influence each other. This course introduces basic concepts of sociolinguistics and explores both micro and macro sociolinguistic studies, reviewing various cases from the micro interpersonal interaction levels to the macro institutional and societal levels. The course covers language and power; thought and representation; ethnography of speaking; language and gender; language change; regional and social variation; multilingualism; language attitudes, as well as language policy and language planning issues in various social contexts from around the world. Although the course introduces concepts of both micro and macro sociolinguistics, it emphasizes language policy and language planning issues.

This course begins by looking at the historical background of English education in Japan up until today's discussions of the demands that globalization requires of Japanese learners and educators. While deepening understanding of the role of English as a language of international communication in the era of globalization, the course considers the linguistic content and teaching approaches suitable for Japanese education. The course also encourages students to reflect on their understanding of English education in Japan.

This course highlights the complexity of the interactions between information and communication technologies and the economic and social sphere, outlining some dynamics between digital technologies, different economic/business models and emerging sustainability needs. Students are invited to critically read, evaluate, and discuss events at the intersection of society, economy, and technology besides simplifications and techno-solutionism, developing an analytic competence. Topics include: systems and complexity; sustainability; shared resources management and regulation; technological neutrality; attitudes towards technology; surveillance capitalism in the communication ecosystem; privacy and democracy.

This course is designed for students who want to extend their knowledge of the range and diversity of English spoken in the world today. Students analyze and produce spoken language in different settings and genres by taking part in structured activities that examine the importance of audience, purpose and various communicative strategies. The examination of both global and local linguistic phenomena provides a context for participants to discuss diverse socio-cultural values and practices with others. Students have the opportunity to participate in practical workshops in which they are involved in activities such as discussions, role-plays and presentations. Assessment tasks include the research, recording and production of a collaborative video report and the live presentation of the research project in a seminar context. These tasks enable students to develop skills that support their ability to network effectively by enhancing their communication and interpersonal skills through designing and presenting group-generated project work in different media. There is also scope for community engagement and the integration of both local and international perspectives in the design and execution of the students' project work. 

This course focuses on applying linguistic theories to real-world contexts, examining the intricate connections between linguistic and non-linguistic phenomena. By analyzing these relationships at individual, societal, and global levels, students will explore how linguistic theories are utilized to understand and address complex issues, gaining insights into their practical relevance and broader impact. Students examine the evolution of language and linguistics, with emphasis on the processes of language development and decline. Students also apply a linguistic perspective to everyday contexts, including education, language policy, K-pop, and culture. 

This course explores the history, form, and function of writing systems from around the world: Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs, Chinese pictograms, Ancient Greek and modern Japanese syllabaries, the vowelless alphabets of Hebrew/Arabic, the "fusional" alphabets of Sanskrit/Hindi, the "separational" alphabets of Modern Europe. Students also look at various attempts to create "perfect" writing systems, such as that of Korea and the IPA and its rivals. Through the course, students gain an understanding of the phonological/morphological demands that languages place on their writing systems and how this leads to innovation and development. The course also examines sociological aspects of different systems (particularly in relation to the spread of systems and the role of writing in language preservation/endangerment) and what writing reveals about the organization of the mind/brain.

This course introduces into the linguistic sub-discipline pragmatics. Students examine how meaning emerges in context, and how this contextual meaning can be distinguished from the literal meaning of a linguistic expression. The range of topics includes assertion, presupposition, implicature, and speech acts.