Nov 14, 2024
OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2017-18

LING 2750 - Introduction to Language and Culture


This course examines cultural similarities and differences through the prism of language. Etymology and the mapping of world language families reveal how cultural practices are transmitted through language and how loan words reveal patterns of world trade, migration, and colonialism. Differing semantic classification systems of kinship, food, emotions, etc., and varying conceptual metaphors of space and time show how cultures map the same real world experiences differently. Cultures also vary in terms of speech acts - greetings, apologies, compliments, etc., and how they mark social relationships through address terms - honorifics, pronouns, and nicknames, etc. Ultimately, this course seeks to illuminate the complex inter-relationship of individual, linguistic and cultural identity.

Requisites: Soph or Jr or Sr
Credit Hours: 3
General Education Code: 2CP
Repeat/Retake Information: May be retaken two times excluding withdrawals, but only last course taken counts.
Lecture/Lab Hours: 3.0 lecture
Eligible Grades: A-F,WP,WF,WN,FN,AU,I


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