Jakob Leimgruber

This course provides an introduction to corpus linguistics, a methodology for studying language based on collections of authentic texts. While the instruction is in English, the concepts and tools introduced are applicable to the study of various languages and students interested in linguistics from outside the Department of English and American Studies are also welcome to attend. The participants will learn the fundamentals of corpus linguistics, from basic principles to slightly more advanced techniques, with a focus on practical application and real-world research. The instructor will enrich the course with real research examples using corpus data, making complex concepts accessible to students. Additionally, students will be guided in creating their own corpora and provide support in utilizing tools like RStudio for analysis. This course aims to equip students with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in corpus linguistics, fostering critical thinking and research abilities applicable across linguistic disciplines.

Course objectives:

• Understand the principles and methodologies of corpus linguistics.
• Familiarize with prominent corpora and resources in the field.
• Develop skills in corpus compilation, usage and analysis.
• Explore real-world research applications of corpus linguistics.
• Learn to use relevant tools for corpus analysis, including basic statistical methods and software like RStudio.
• Gain hands-on experience in corpus creation and analysis.

1. Introduction to corpus linguistics: Definition, history, and key concepts (2 hours).
2. Well-known corpus resources (CQPWeb, Mark Davies’ corpora, parallel corpora e.g. Intercorp, Paralela) (3 hours)
3. Corpus compilation and annotation: Methods for building and structuring corpora (3 hours).
4. Tools for corpus analysis: Introduction to software tools like AntConc and R (2,5 hours).
5. Basic analysis techniques: Concordancing, collocation, and frequency analysis (3 hours).
6. More advanced analysis techniques (correlation testing in R - to show diachronic developments of phenomena, basic statistical tests) (2,5 hours).
7. Real-world applications: Corpus-based research in linguistics, language teaching, and beyond (3 hours).
8. Practical exercises: Hands-on activities to apply learned concepts, techniques and tools (8 hours, will be spread through the course to let students apply new tools/techniques during each teaching unit; the lecturer will guide and assist students, offer ideas and will be there to help with questions/problems/difficulties of individual students).
9. Research projects: Students will present their small-scale research projects using corpus data (3 hours).

This seminar considers the English language in contact situations that have resulted in the emergence of new codes, known as pidgins and creoles. The colonial period and its reliance on the slave trade are particularly relevant to this topic. We will see how contact between speakers of different languages has resulted in new codes that are lexically, grammatically, and phonologically distinct from their 'parent' languages. The study of pidgins and creoles has also led to major advances in linguistic theory, which student focus groups will focus on closely.

This lecture introduces the field of language planning and language policy (LPP) and attempts to cover it in its wide breadth, with specific reference to contexts in which the English language plays an important role. Traditional theoretical approaches, such as the distinction between corpus (language-internal) and status (language-external) planning are given as much prominence as more recent approaches considering the role of language in the globalised ‘post-national’ world. The theory will be complemented by several case studies from political entities around the world, bringing students into contact with a wide range of different ways in which the co-existence of English and other languages is managed.

Phonetics and phonology is the study of human speech sounds. This introductory lecture builds on ‘Introduction to English linguistics: Theory and structure’ and together with it and ‘Introduction to English linguistics: English in use’, covers the core curriculum in English linguistics.

The lecture will consider the various types of phonetics, their difference to phonology, the working of the human speech apparatus, and the rules according to which languages combine sounds to form meaningful words. The phonemic system of English will be given particular attention, especially in its RP and GA incarnation, but regional and social variation will also be addressed. The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), in particular its application to English, will be taught and exemplified in class.

NB: It is strongly recommended that students attend the ‘Theory and structure’ lecture together with this lecture in their first term, before registering for ‘English in use’ in their second term.

Phonetics and phonology is the study of human speech sounds. This introductory lecture builds on ‘Introduction to English linguistics: Theory and structure’ and together with it and ‘Introduction to English linguistics: English in use’, covers the core curriculum in English linguistics.

The lecture will consider the various types of phonetics, their difference to phonology, the working of the human speech apparatus, and the rules according to which languages combine sounds to form meaningful words. The phonemic system of English will be given particular attention, especially in its RP and GA incarnation, but regional and social variation will also be addressed. The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), in particular its application to English, will be taught and exemplified in class.

NB: It is strongly recommended that students attend the ‘Theory and structure’ lecture together with this lecture in their first term, before registering for ‘English in use’ in their second term.

This lecture takes a look at the various forms of English found in the British Isles. Geographically, we will cover dialects of England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, and the Channel Islands. Further, time will be devoted to the analysis of social and ethnic varieties of contemporary Britain. Apart from case studies dealing with selected varieties, the lecture will also touch on the issue of dialectology and sociolinguistics more generally, shining a light on the history and the present-day research methods in the field. Students will: broaden their understanding of geographical and social variation in native English, learn theoretical and methodological concepts in dialectology and sociolinguistics, learn how to engage with dialectal data from a descriptive linguistic vantage point.

The password for the GRIPS workspace will be communicated in class.

The linguistic landscape is visible, written language in public space. As we move through our daily life, we are constantly exposed to such written language, in shopping streets, around university buildings, in city busses. What seems like a random collection of texts all around us turns out, upon closer inspection, to be highly organised and to follow a number of systematic rules. In this class, we will see examples of multilingual signage from around the world; we will explore the ways in which English has made its way into many of these contexts. The growing body of research into the area will be dealt with in detail. Students will have the chance to collect data of their own and apply the theory to them.

The research colloquium is open to all students with an interest in linguistics. It offers a discussion forum for topics, methodologies and approaches to linguistic research. It is primarily aimed at advanced students preparing their BA, MA or Staatsexamen theses, but less advanced students wishing to present their ideas and/or research are always welcome. Ongoing and/or planned work can be presented in a class and gives those students a chance to gain valuable feedback in an encouraging environment. Of course, you will also gain insights into the different types of and approaches to the study of the English language here in Regensburg, as staff and doctoral students also present their research in this context. Furthermore, students who have completed their internship will briefly report in this class.

The aim of this lecture is to investigate the way in which the English language is used in conjunction with other languages. There will be a diachronic element, looking at pre-existing languages (British, Pictish, North American native languages, etc.) and their influence, if any, on past and modern English. A more synchronic approach will be taken in contemporary descriptions of places where English is used as an additional (sometimes auxiliary, sometimes main) language. Places investigated will include Wales, Scotland, the Canadian west coast, Australia, East and Southeast Asia, and others. 

Phonetics and phonology is the study of human speech sounds. This introductory lecture builds on ‘Introduction to English linguistics: Theory and structure’ and together with it and ‘Introduction to English linguistics: English in use’, covers the core curriculum in English linguistics.

The lecture will consider the various types of phonetics, their difference to phonology, the working of the human speech apparatus, and the rules according to which languages combine sounds to form meaningful words. The phonemic system of English will be given particular attention, especially in its RP and GA incarnation, but regional and social variation will also be addressed. The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), in particular its application to English, will be taught and exemplified in class.

NB: It is strongly recommended that students attend the ‘Theory and structure’ lecture together with this lecture in their first term, before registering for ‘English in use’ in their second term.

Description

This seminar looks at English and the other languages found in southeast Asian nations, with particular focus on Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines. The primary focus will be on sociolinguistic aspects: multilingualism, language policies, language attitudes and domains of use will be considered, much like the various indexical roles of varieties of English. Current theoretical approaches in sociolinguistics will inform our reading of local case studies. Structural linguistic elements characterising individual varieties will also be covered, whereas the way in which they index various social meanings will be the primary aim of individual case studies.

Objectives

Students will be exposed to current theoretical trends in sociolinguistics and World Englishes research. They will develop a close understanding of the sociolinguistic situation in Southeast Asia. Further, they will learn to critically engage with SEA linguistic data through hands-on experience in the form of geographically and socially defined case studies.

Phonetics and phonology is the study of human speech sounds. This introductory lecture builds on ‘Introduction to English Linguistics: Theory and Structure’ and together with it and ‘Introduction to English Linguistics: English in Use’, covers the core curriculum in English linguistics.

The lecture will consider the various types of phonetics, their difference to phonology, the working of the human speech apparatus, and the rules according to which languages combine sounds to form meaningful words. The phonemic system of English will be given particular attention, especially in its RP and GA incarnation, but regional and social variation will also be addressed. The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), in particular its application to English, will be taught and exemplified in class. 

NB: It is strongly recommended that students first complete the ‘Theory and Structure’ before registering for this lecture.

This course forms part of the Master’s Programme in English Linguistics, but students in their Profilmodule are equally welcome to acquire credit points and linguistic expertise. It is intended to provide first-hand experience and critical discussion of seminal works of 20th century linguistic theory and methodology, covering the classical texts of different schools of modern linguistics as well as more recent studies relevant to the ongoing research at our Department.

The ability to identify the meaning-distinguishing sound types (phonemes) of the language is a minimum requirement for anyone concerned with English. Advanced learners, however, will need a conscious knowledge of distributions, distinctive features and articulatory processes in order to better monitor their own pronunciation, assess regional and social variation and efficiently correct the inevitable Bavarianisms of future pupils. This course will, once more, introduce the set of symbols and the conventions relevant to all types of linguistic exams and practise British and American Standard transcription on authentic material of increasing complexity. Since this course is primarily intended for students of the Lehramt Gymnasium, they will be given priority when registering. Admission is further restricted to owners of at least one pronunciation dictionary (e. g. D. Jones, English Pronouncing Dictionary, Cambridge; J. C. Wells, Longman Pronunciation Dictionary, Pearson).

The research colloquium is open to all students with an interest in linguistics. It offers a discussion forum for topics, methodologies and approaches to linguistic research. It is primarily aimed at advanced students preparing their BA, MA or Staatsexamen theses, but less advanced students wishing to present their ideas and/or research are always welcome. Ongoing and/or planned work can be presented in a class and gives those students a chance to gain valuable feedback in an encouraging environment. Of course, you will also gain insights into the different types of and approaches to the study of the English language here in Regensburg, as staff and doctoral students also present their research in this context. Furthermore, students who have completed their internship will briefly report in this class.

Phonetics and phonology is the study of human speech sounds. This introductory lecture builds on ‘Introduction to English Linguistics: Theory and Structure’ and together with it and ‘Introduction to English Linguistics: English in Use’, covers the core curriculum in English linguistics.

The lecture will consider the various types of phonetics, their difference to phonology, the working of the human speech apparatus, and the rules according to which languages combine sounds to form meaningful words. The phonemic system of English will be given particular attention, especially in its RP and GA incarnation, but regional and social variation will also be addressed. The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), in particular its application to English, will be taught and exemplified in class. 

NB: It is strongly recommended that students first complete the ‘Theory and Structure’ before registering for this lecture.

The ability to identify the meaning-distinguishing sound types (phonemes) of the language is a minimum requirement for anyone concerned with English. Advanced learners, however, will need a conscious knowledge of distributions, distinctive features and articulatory processes in order to better monitor their own pronunciation, assess regional and social variation and efficiently correct the inevitable Bavarianisms of future pupils. This course will, once more, introduce the set of symbols and the conventions relevant to all types of linguistic exams and practise British and American Standard transcription on authentic material of increasing complexity. Since this course is primarily intended for students of the Lehramt Gymnasium, they will be given priority when registering. Admission is further restricted to owners of at least one pronunciation dictionary (e. g. D. Jones, English Pronouncing Dictionary, Cambridge; J. C. Wells, Longman Pronunciation Dictionary, Pearson).

This lecture introduces the field of language planning and language policy (LPP) and attempts to cover it in its wide breadth, with specific reference to contexts in which the English language plays an important role. Traditional theoretical approaches, such as the distinction between corpus (language-internal) and status (language-external) planning are given as much prominence as more recent approaches considering the role of language in the globalised ‘post-national’ world. The theory will be complemented by several case studies from political entities around the world, bringing students into contact with a wide range of different ways in which the co-existence of English and other languages is managed.

The linguistic landscape is visible, written language in public space. As we move through our daily life, we are constantly exposed to such written language, in shopping streets, around university buildings, in city trams. What seems like a random collection of texts all around us turns out, upon closer inspection, to be highly organised and to follow a number of systematic rules. In this class, we will see examples of multilingual signage from around the world, and also explore the ways in which English has made its way into many of these contexts. The growing body of research into the area will be dealt with in detail. Students will have the chance to collect data of their own and apply the theory to them.

The research colloquium is open to all students with an interest in linguistics. It offers a discussion forum for topics, methodologies and approaches to linguistic research. It is primarily aimed at advanced students preparing their BA, MA or Staatsexamen theses, but less advanced students wishing to present their ideas and/or research are always welcome. Ongoing and/or planned work can be presented in a class and gives those students a chance to gain valuable feedback in an encouraging environment. Of course, you will also gain insights into the different types of and approaches to the study of the English language here in Regensburg, as staff and doctoral students also present their research in this context. Furthermore, students who have completed their internship will briefly report in this class.

The English language has a strong and growing presence in Asia. From the language of the colonial power to the language of national self-identification after independence, English now exists in various forms and in various sociolinguistic settings that make its presence in Asia particularly fascinating. The seminar will introduce students to the language political climate in countries as diverse as, among others, Singapore, India, China, and the Philippines, countries in which English ranges in function from a native and official language to an auxiliary administrative language or to a language largely confined to the tourism industry. A comparison of the linguistic forms of these varieties will enable a larger-scale picture to emerge, outlining the shape and role of English in this increasingly important part of the world. Students will learn to: develop an understanding of the varieties of English spoken in Asia; linguistic features and sociolinguistic settings that differentiate national and sub-national varieties; how these varieties interact at the (supra-)regional level; situate them within the larger theoretical framework of world Englishes.

This lecture takes a look at the various forms of English found in the British Isles. Geographically, we will cover dialects of England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, and the Channel Islands. Further, time will be devoted to the analysis of social and ethnic varieties of contemporary Britain. Apart from case studies dealing with selected varieties, the lecture will also touch on the issue of dialectology and sociolinguistics more generally, shining a light on the history and the present-day research methods in the field. Students will: broaden their understanding of geographical and social variation in native English, learn theoretical and methodological concepts in dialectology and sociolinguistics, learn how to engage with dialectal data from a descriptive linguistic vantage point.

This course forms part of the Master’s Programme in English Linguistics, but students in their Profilmodule are equally welcome to acquire credit points and linguistic expertise. It is intended to provide first-hand experience and critical discussion of seminal works of 20th century linguistic theory and methodology, covering the classical texts of different schools of modern linguistics as well as more recent studies relevant to the ongoing research at our Department.

The ability to identify the meaning-distinguishing sound types (phonemes) of the language is a minimum requirement for anyone concerned with English. Advanced learners, however, will need a conscious knowledge of distributions, distinctive features and articulatory processes in order to better monitor their own pronunciation, assess regional and social variation and efficiently correct the inevitable Bavarianisms of future pupils. This course will, once more, introduce the set of symbols and the conventions relevant to all types of linguistic exams and practise British and American Standard transcription on authentic material of increasing complexity. Since this course is primarily intended for students of the Lehramt Gymnasium, they will be given priority when registering. Admission is further restricted to owners of at least one pronunciation dictionary (e. g. D. Jones, English Pronouncing Dictionary, Cambridge; J. C. Wells, Longman Pronunciation Dictionary, Pearson).