Students work under guidance with a native speaker of a previously undescribed language, learning how to analyse a language from scratch, preparing and archiving descriptive materials, and writing papers on some aspects of the grammar (syntax, phonology, lexicon). Instruction is given in the methodology of  linguistic fieldwork, including analysis and organisation of data, and the social dimensions of work with speakers of minority languages. The elicitation and analysis will deepen the understanding and skills which students have acquired in their earlier coursework.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Apply skills which they have developed in this course to the evaluation of real data from language speakers in some specific linguistic subdiscipline.
2. Apply databasing and formatting skills learned in this class to the management of large amounts of data.
3. Analyse selected structures of a foreign language on the basis of oral data that they have collected  from a native speaker.

Preparation for elicitation sessions (Total of 20%, for preparation for nine sessions, 2-3 pages of notes for each) [Learning Outcomes 1-3]

Report  on Phonology (15%) (due week 3, perceptual phonetics and phonological analysis) [Learning Outcomes 1, 3]

Transcription, analysis and translation of recorded text (15%) (due week 8, perception, morphological analysis and accurate data management). This part of the assessment may be done in a group. [Learning Outcomes 2, 3]

Production of literacy materials (10%) (due week 10, data management and phonology/orthography organisation) [Learning Outcomes 1-3]

Report of 2500 words concerning data collected in this class on some other aspect of linguistic structure (40%) (sub-disciplinary specialization as chosen through discussion between student and lecturer)  [Learning Outcomes 1-3]

The course will run, in intensive mode, for 3 weeks from Jan 28th.

There will be weekly morning meetings of the whole class with the speaker from 9.15 to 11.00. There will be additional 90-minute meetings of pairs of students with the speaker, 3 times per week, over the three weeks, to be scheduled late morning or afternoon by mutual convenience.

In total, students can expect to work approximately 30 hours/week while classes are in session, with further work to make a total of 130 hours of work for the course.

Introduction to Syntax (LING2003), Morphology (LING2007) plus either Phonological Analysis (LING2019) or Phonetics: Sounds of the World's Languages (LING1010/2010).

LING6009

A reading brick of relevant materials, partly drawing on the books listed in Preliminary Reading will be made available.

A list of preliminary readings will be available on the Wattle site for the course.

Relevant journal articles, useful URLs, discipline specific journals

Students will be required to have access to a computer and the internet. No special software is required beyond access to a spreadsheet and word-processor. Other software, free to download, will be discussed in class.

How to enrol into a course offered in a non-standard session (Summer Session, Autumn Session, Winter Session, Spring Session):

1. Complete an Enrolment Variation Form available on the following website: http://students.anu.edu.au/manage/vary.php.   
2. You must include the Course Code, Class number and Semester/Session.
3. If the course requires Convenor approval (Departmental consent), the Lecturer section must be signed by the appropriate Course Convenor prior to submitting the Form.
4. Submit the Form in person to the CASS Student Office located in the Beryl Rawson Building 13, Ellery Crescent or online to students.cass@anu.edu.au.
5. Please allow up to 3 weeks for processing, and submit your request as early as possible prior to the commencement of the relevant session.
6. You are advised to check ISIS for the outcome of your request after this period.
7. Please take note of the Overload Policy which may apply if you are enrolling in a non-standard session.

If you have questions, please contacts the CASS Student Office at students.cass@anu.edu.au.