1. Linguistic approach to language study

2. Why study linguistics?
Study human languages from a scientific perspective
Understand structures and processes underlying student errors
Increase learners’ interest in language
Help learners develop a new approach to understanding native and foreign language

3. Fundamental linguistic concepts
Every language is amazingly complex
All languages are highly systematic
Systematicity is not transparent to native speakers
Speech is primary; writing secondary
Children are not explicitly taught language, but they acquire it fluently by the age of 5

4. Three aspects of language learning
Learning language
Teaching any subject involves teaching the language
Learning through language
L is the medium of instruction
Learning about language
Academic (explicit)
Grammar, vocabulary, spelling, phonics, etc.
Social/political (implicit)
Value
All 3 aspects affect L acquisition

5. Descriptive vs. theoretical linguistics
Theoretical: study of linguistic universals. What is human language and how do we manage to acquire it?
Descriptive: scientific study of a particular L (or comparison Ls)
Phonetics/phonology
Units of sounds and how they’re organized
Morphology
Units of meaning and how they’re organized
Syntax
Units of speech and how they’re organized

6. Linguistic conundrum Complexity of language Ease of acquisition on L1
Relative difficulty of acquisition of L2
Difficulty of understanding what we already intrinsically know about language from a scientific/linguistic perspective!
Computer analogy
LAD (language acquisition device)

7. Complexity of language
Same message – different forms
Hey Joey, what’s up?
Hello Joey, good to see you.
Same forms – different message
Is Rosa there? (yes/no)
Lexical ambiguity
Why is the baby ant confused?
All his uncles are aunts!
“Kids Make Nutritious Snacks”
“Prostitutes Appeal To Pope”

8. Complexity of language (continued)
Structural ambiguity
I saw her[DO] duck[v]; I saw her[DET] duck[N]
Sears is having a [big stereo sale]
[[big] [stereo sale]]
[[big stereo] [sale]]
“Meaningless” messages
Contradiction
“I’m my own grandpa”
Colorless[A] green[A] ideas[N] sleep[V] furiously[ADV]
Anomaly
Harry’s cat called me on the phone.

9. Prescriptive vs. descriptive approach to language
Rules – describe
SAE (irregular)
Himself; themselves
AAE
Hisself; theirselves
Observe
Real L use
Linguistic approach
New L pedagogy?
You decide.
Prescriptive
Rules – “correct”
Correct reflexive
Himself; themselves
Incorrect reflexive
Hisself; theirselves
Teach, practice, drill
Ideal L use
Traditional L pedagogy