Course detail

Introduction to Linguistics

FEKT-BPC-ILSAcad. year: 2024/2025

Essentials of linguistics as a scientific discipline and a brief outline of its development. Basic information about a language, about the linguistic analysis and language studies. Linguistic terminology. Introduction of a language as a system and a means of communication. Functions and the importance of language. Language, mind and society. Levels and scientific methods of linguistic analysis.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

5

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Entry knowledge

The secondary school knowledge and the knowledge of the English language at B2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Credit: 75% attendance and active participation at classes, fulfilment of given assignments.  

A written examination (max. 100pts, min. 50pts, a credit required before the exam).




The content and forms of instruction in the evaluated course are specified by a regulation issued by the lecturer responsible for the course and updated for every academic year.

Aims

The aim of the course is to provide essential knowledge of linguistics as a scientific discipline, its historical development and the state of the art. Basic concepts and terminology of linguistics will be introduced. The aim is to present a language as a system, to analyse individual constituents of the system and the relations between them. To provide a deep insight into language as a means of communication and a social phenomenon reflecting and influencing the speakers´ thinking and their perception of reality. The development of linguistic thinking for further studies of linguistics, the English language and other languages and their use in practical professional life.
The course presents a theoretical basis of a scientific language study.
A student will be prepared for further studies of linguistics.

He/she has the knowledge of the relations between the individual components of the language system and of the relations between a language, thought and reality
defines the language functions
describes the lexical system of the English language and the English word-formation processes
describes and explains characteristic features of the English language and compares them to the characteristic features of the Czech language and other languages
analyses semantic components of lexical units and their relationships to other lexical units
describes and analyses grammatical categories
discusses the aspects of the communication process from the point of view of Pragmatics and Discourse Analysis
defines the English language as a universal tool for communication, especially in science and technology
identifies the features of the language of science and technology
knows the essential facts about the historical development of English


The knowledge of the linguistic theory will form a basis for practical use of the English language and other languages in his/her professional life as stated in the graduate´s profile.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

KRHUTOVÁ, Milena. Parameters of professional discourse: English for electrical engineering. Brno: Tribun EU, 2009. Librix.eu. ISBN 978-80-7399-867-7.
VACHEK, Josef, Josef HLADKÝ a Clare KROJZLOVÁ. A linguistic characterology of modern English. 3., přeprac. vyd. Praha: Státní pedagogické nakladatelství, 1992. ISBN 8021001100.
WIDDOWSON, H.G. Linguistics. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2014. ISBN 9780194372060.

Recommended reading

HLADKÝ, Josef a Milan RŮŽIČKA. A functional onomatology of English. 4. opr. vyd. Brno: Masarykova univerzita, 1998. ISBN 80-210-1887-9.
KRHUTOVÁ, Milena. The language of electrical engineering as a special province. Brno: Akademické nakladatelství CERM, 2007. ISBN 978-80-7204-562-4.
LYONS, John. Introduction to Theoretical Linguistics. Repr. London: Cambridge University Press, 1974. ISBN 0521095107.

Elearning

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme BPC-APE Bachelor's 1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

Language and Linguistics. Language as a system of signs.
Language as a means of communication. Language, mind and society.
Classification and typology of languages.

History of the English language

Morphology and the English word formation.
Lexicology.
Semantics. A linguistic characterology of English.
Syntax.

Pragmatics

Phonetics and Phonology.
Sociolinguistics.

The language of Science and Technology

 

Seminar

13 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

Language and Linguistics. Language as a system of signs.
Language as a means of communication. Language, mind and society.
Classification and typology of languages.

History of the English language

Morphology and the English word formation.
Lexicology.
Semantics. A linguistic characterology of English.
Syntax.

Pragmatics

Phonetics and Phonology.
Sociolinguistics.

The language of Science and Technology

 

Elearning