LING 052. Historical and Comparative Linguistics

This course is an introduction to the study of linguistic change.

Various models of language change are explored to seek to understand how and why languages change. Students will work directly with raw linguistic material from a wide range of languages to find patterns, argue for analyses, and figure out how the past shapes the linguistic present. Changes at all levels of the grammar (phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, lexicon) will be analysed, and various factors that can contribute to linguistic change will be explored. We will learn how it is possible to reconstruct linguistic systems that we have no direct record of, and will consider what it means for languages to diverge and converge.

Major themes of the course include the comparative method and the relationship between sociolinguistics and historical linguistics. The topics of language shift; language marginalisation and endangerment; language maintenance, revitalisation, and reclamation; and language planning will also be addressed. Assigned work and projects will develop the skills to conduct historical linguistics research through electronic and library resources.

Prerequisite: LING 001 or LING 045 or permission of the instructor.
Social sciences.
1 credit.
Fall 2026. Washington.
Catalog chapter: Linguistics
Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/linguistics

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