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Miracles of Human Language: An Introduction to Linguistics

Approx. 23 hours to complete

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Course Summary

Explore the fascinating world of human language and learn how it works.

Key Learning Points

Understand the fundamental concepts of human language and how it is processed by the brain
Learn about different language structures, syntax, and semantics
Discover the cultural and social aspects of language use

Job Positions & Salaries of people who have taken this course might have

- USA: $60,000 - $100,000
- USA: $60,000 - $100,000
- USA: $30,000 - $70,000
- USA: $60,000 - $100,000
- USA: $30,000 - $70,000
- USA: $60,000 - $90,000

Learning Outcomes

Understand the basic concepts of human language and its processing by the brain
Analyze language structures and understand the difference between syntax and semantics
Appreciate the cultural and social aspects of language use

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

No prior knowledge of linguistics or cognitive science is required
Basic proficiency in English is recommended

Course Difficulty Level

Beginner

Course Format

Self-paced
Online

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Description

Everywhere, every day, everybody uses language. There is no human society, no matter how small or how isolated, which does not employ a language that is rich and diverse. This course introduces you to linguistics, featuring interviews with well-known linguists and with speakers of many different languages. Join us to explore the miracles of human language!

The Miracles of Human Language introduces you to the many-faceted study of languages, which has amazed humans since the beginning of history. Together with speakers of many other languages around the world, as well as with famous linguists such as Noam Chomsky and Adele Goldberg, you will learn to understand and analyse how your native tongue is at the same time similar and different from many other languages. You will learn the basic concepts of linguistics, get to know some of the key features of big and small languages and get insight into what linguists do. This course gives an introduction into the study of languages, the field of linguistics. With the support of the basic linguistic terminology that is offered in the course, you will soon be able to comment both on variety between languages, as well as on a single language’s internal structure. Anyone who wishes to understand how languages work, and how they can give us insight into the human mind is very welcome to join. The course is useful if you want to get a fairly quick introduction into linguistics, for instance because you are considering studying it further, or because you are interested in a neighbouring discipline such as psychology, computer science or anthropology. Furthermore, the course will help you develop analytical skills. If you are curious to understand how language works and how it gives insight into the human mind, this course is definitely for you!

Outline

Introduction to Linguistics
Welcome to the Miracles of Human Language!
How to succeed in your online class?
Human Language and Animal Communication Systems
Human Language Versus Other 'Languages'
Discussion with Marten and Inge: Language Diversity
Language Diversity and Ethnologue
Discussion with Marten and Inge: What do Linguists do?
Interview with Dr. Victoria Nyst
Introduction language informants + introducing Han Hu, Speaker of Mandarin Chinese
Introducing Roberta D'Alessandro, speaker of Abruzzese
Introducing Khalid Mourigh, speaker of Tarifit Berber
Introducing Varun DeCastro-Arrazola, speaker of Basque
Introducing Beste Sevindik, speaker of Turkish
Introducing Enoch Aboh, speaker of Gungbe
Conclusion; language and dialect
Meet the instructor & his team
Leiden University: Facts & Figures
Community Guidelines
What is your learning path?
Registration Ethnologue
Required and optional readings
Test your knowledge 1

The study of sound: Phonology and Phonetics
Distinguishing consonants
Production of speech sounds
Discussion with Marten and Inge: consonants of world languages
Sounds in systems
Discussion with Marten and Inge: sounds and language change
Interview with Prof. dr. Claartje Levelt
Introduction + Tarifit Berber
Gungbe
Turkish
Abruzzese
Mandarin Chinese
Basque
Conclusion; sounds and gestures
Required and optional readings
Test your knowledge 2

The study of words and sentences: Morphology and Syntax
Words and sentences
Morphology
Discussion with Marten and Inge: world of words
Syntax and word order (a)
Syntax and word order (b)
Discussion with Marten and Inge: world of word order
Interview with Prof. Noam Chomsky
Introduction + Basque
Tarifit Berber
Gungbe
Turkish
Abruzzese
Mandarin Chinese
Conclusion; structure beyond sentences
Required and optional readings
Test your knowledge 3

The study of meaning: Pragmatics and Semantics
Layers of meaning
Semantics
Discussion with Marten and Inge: color and snow
Pragmatics
Discussion with Marten and Inge: changing the world with sentences
Interview with Barend Beekhuizen MA
Introduction + Abruzzese
Tarifit Berber
Turkish
Basque
Mandarin Chinese
Gungbe
Conclusion; untranslatable words?
Required and optional readings
Quiz readings
Test your knowledge 4

Language in the Brain
Introduction
Aphasia
Discussion with Marten and Inge: everyday mistakes and the Foreign Accent Syndrome
Reading in the brain
Visiting the lab
Interview with Prof. Dr. Niels Schiller
Introduction + Turkish
Tarifit Berber
Abruzzese
Basque
Conclusion; dyslexia
Required and optional readings
Crowdfunding credits
Test your knowledge 5

Language in the Society
Language change and variation
Social stratification
Discussion with Marten and Inge: social variables
Politeness
Discussion with Marten and Inge: examples of Face
Interview with Prof. Adele Goldberg
Introduction + Gungbe
Tarifit Berber
Turkish
Abruzzese
Mandarin Chinese
Basque
Conclusion; how personal are politeness strategies?
Required and optional readings
Test your knowledge 6
Final exam

Summary of User Reviews

The Human Language course on Coursera has received positive reviews from learners. The course has been praised for its comprehensive approach to teaching language, covering the basics of linguistics, language acquisition, and communication. Many users have found the course to be engaging and informative, making it a great starting point for beginners.

Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course

Comprehensive approach to teaching language

Pros from User Reviews

Engaging and informative course material
Great starting point for beginners
Well-structured lessons and quizzes
Interactive exercises to reinforce learning
Insightful lectures from experienced instructors

Cons from User Reviews

Some users found the course to be too basic
Limited opportunities for interaction with instructors and other learners
Some technical issues with the online platform
Not enough focus on practical application of language skills
Some users felt that the course was too theoretical

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