Meeting time: MWF 11-12, KCB 107

Instructor: Peter Alrenga
Email: palrenga@bu.edu (preferred)
Phone: (617) 353-6221
Office: 621 Commonwealth Ave., Rm. 110
Office Hrs: M 3:30-5; Th 11:30-1  (and by appt.)

Prerequisite: CAS LX 250 (Foundations of Language)

Course Description: In this course, we will investigate several widespread myths concerning language and its use.  After inquiring into the origins, appeal, and spread of these myths, we will evaluate them critically from the perspective of linguistic theory, in order to uncover what truth, if any, lies behind them, and to pinpoint exactly where they stray into fiction.  Our investigations will lead to a deeper understanding of the core analytic methods and empirical discoveries that drive research in the modern language sciences, as well as a deeper appreciation for how the scientific study of language can inform popular discourse on language.

We will begin by exploring a variety of misconceptions concerning linguistic diversity and minority languages, as well as their consequences for language vitality, language education, and debates over offical language policies.  Next, we will turn our attention to the communicative function of language.  According to one commonsense view, sentences are merely “containers” for our thoughts, and successful communication is simply the act of loading and unloading these containers.  Such a view leads speakers to expect their utterances to be understood exactly as they were intended.  We will examine the inadequacies of this view by considering an arena of language use in which clarity of expression is especially prized, namely the language of the law.  In the final portion of the course, we will take up the perennial worry that the English language is in decline, and ask whether recent innovations, such as texting, have had a negative effect on our language.  Doing so will also afford us an opportunity to investigate the (often curious) origins of certain well-known prescriptive injunctions concerning language use, as well as the role that descpritive grammar can play in language pedagogy.

Reading: Our primary textbook (available at the BU Bookstore) will be:

Bauer, Laurie and Peter Trudgill. 1998. Language Myths.  London: Penguin.

In addition, a variety of other reading assignments will be distributed to you as PDFs available from this website.   Unless explicitly stated otherwise, all readings are required, and should be completed by the beginning of class.

Attendance & Participation: Regular attendance is required for a passing grade in this course, and participation in class discussions is expected.

Quizzes: There will be three in-class quizzes.  These will test your understanding of the readings as well as our class discussions.

Written Assignments: Throughout the semester, you will also hand in four short papers.  The purpose of these written assignments will be for you to think critically about what you have read and what has been discussed in class.  When writing your papers then, your primary goals should be to demonstrate that you have absorbed and understood the relevant readings, and that you have also absorbed and understood our class discussions.  To whatever extent possible, though, you should try to go beyond these requirements, by drawing on your own experience, extending your discussion to new domains, or simply responding critically to what you’ve read and what has been happening in class.  It is crucially important that you avoid easy rhetoric and sloganizing in your papers (some of the topics that we will consider often tempt people in that direction).  Rather, you should aim for specificity, focus, and clarity of reasoning.

For each paper, a list of possible topics will be distributed at least one week in advance of the due date.  Each paper should be roughly 4 to 5 pages in length, assuming reasonable margins and font sizes.

Academic Conduct: You are expected to abide by the CAS Academic Conduct Code (accessible at http://www.bu.edu/cas/students/undergrad-resources/code/).  Plagiarism in any form (including online sources), cheating on exams, and other academic misconduct will not be tolerated.

Late Policy: No make-up exams (or extensions for the papers) will be given, except in extreme emergencies.  It is your responsibility to bring any potential scheduling conflicts to my attention as soon as they arise, so that alternative arrangements can be made.  In the absence of any such prior arrangements, late work will not be accepted.

Final Grade: The three quizzes, four papers, and your attendance/ participation will count equally towards your final course grade (12.5% apiece, x 8 = 100%).