The Department of Linguistics offers a B.A. major and an undergraduate minor in Linguistics; a B.S. major in Signed Language Interpreting; an undergraduate minor in Navajo Language and Linguistics; an M.A. and Ph.D. in Linguistics; and contributes to linguistics-related degree programs in other departments and colleges. The Department offers a range of courses in the core areas of phonetics, phonology, syntax, semantics, and discourse as well as in the interdisciplinary fields of applied linguistics, psycholinguistics, and sociolinguistics. The Department has a theoretical orientation based in functional and cognitive approaches and has teaching and research strengths in the areas of signed language, typology, language evolution, sociocultural and interactional studies, Native American languages, discourse analysis, and experimental inquiry. In addition, the Department offers programs of study in linguistics with concentrations in Speech and Hearing Sciences, and Native American Languages of the Southwest. The faculty also participates in the Ph.D. program in Educational Linguistics, sponsored jointly by the Department of Linguistics and the College of Education’s Department of Language, Literacy and Sociocultural Studies. The program in Educational Linguistics focuses on issues in bilingual and multicultural education and in second language learning and pedagogy.
Courses
LING 2110 [101].
Introduction to the Study of Language and Linguistics [Introduction to the Study of Language].
(3)
Broad overview of the nature of language: language structure, biology of language, language learning, language and thought, bilingualism, social and regional variation and educational implications. Intended to fulfill breadth requirements in any college.
Meets New Mexico Lower-Division General Education Common Core Curriculum Area IV: Social/Behavioral Sciences.
LING 2996 [295].
Topics [Special Topics in Current Language Issues].
(3, may be repeated three times Δ)
LING 301.
Introduction to Linguistic Analysis.
(3)
Basic concepts and technical vocabulary of language as a structured system: phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics. Emphasis on descriptive linguistics; some attention to language change and variation. Presumes no prior knowledge of linguistics.
LING 302.
Phonetic Analysis.
(3)
A survey of the nature and variety of the sounds of the world's languages, with an emphasis on the integrated understanding of speech articulation and speech acoustics. Students learn to perform basic acoustic phonetic analysis.
Prerequisite: 301.
LING 303.
Introduction to Phonetics.
(3)
(Also offered as SHS *303)
Neel, Smith
An introduction to the physiological mechanisms underlying speech production, linguistic classification and transcription of speech sounds, acoustic properties of speech sounds, relationship between phonetics and phonology, and applications to speech pathology.
LING 304 / 504.
Phonological Analysis.
(3)
(Also offered as ANTH 317)
Smith.
Introduction to patterns in sound structure, with an emphasis on problem-solving. Topics include distinctive features, common phonological processes, autosegmental theory and syllable structure.
Prerequisite: 301 and (302 or 303 or SHS *303).
LING 322 / 522.
Grammatical Analysis.
(3)
(Also offered as ANTH *318)
Croft.
Principles of morphological and syntactic analysis and introduction to functional and formal theories of grammar. Descriptive analysis of grammatical structures and problems from a variety of languages.
Prerequisite: 301 or SIGN *305 or SPAN 351.
LING 331 / 531.
Language in Society.
(3)
Koops, Shin.
Introduction to sociolinguistics. Topics: social dialects, societal multilingualism, language contact, language attitudes, language policy and planning, the role of language in binding and defining communities.
Prerequisite: 2110 or 301 or 440 or ANTH 1155.
LING 334 / 534.
Language and Gender.
(3)
Jacobson
This course provides an introduction to linguistic analyses of language used by and about women and men, exploring how language is used in constructing ourselves and others as men and women, gay, straight, or transgendered.
LING 359.
Language and Culture.
(3)
(Also offered as ANTH 310; CJ 319)
Dinwoodie.
Examination of the interrelations of language and speech with other selected aspects of culture and cognition.
Prerequisite: 2110 or 301 or ANTH 1155.
LING 367 / 567.
Psychology of Language.
(3)
(Also offered as PSY **367)
Morford.
Theoretical and methodological issues in psycholinguistics, including comprehension, speech perception and production, language acquisition, bilingualism, brain and language, reading.
Prerequisite: 2110 or 301 or ANTH 1155 or PSYC 2110 or PSYC 2120 or PSYC 2220 or PSYC 2250 or PSYC 2270.
LING *401–*402.
Topics: American Indian Languages.
(3, may be repeated three times Δ; 3, may be repeated three times Δ)
Introductory study of a Native American language, selected according to availability of instructor and student interest. May be repeated for credit as the topic varies.
LING 412 / 512.
Morphosyntax.
(3)
Croft, Vallejos Yopán
Analysis of the morphology and syntax of a broad range of constructions, examining crosslinguistic variation and universals, semantic and discourse functions, and historical origins.
Prerequisite: 322.
LING 413 / 513.
Linguistic Field Methods.
(3)
Practice in transcribing from oral dictation, phonemic analysis, introduction to problems of morphology.
Prerequisite: (304 or ANTH 317) and (322 or ANTH *318).
{Offered upon demand}
LING 415 / 515.
Native American Languages.
(3)
Vallejos Yopán.
Survey of indigenous languages of the Americas, with special emphasis on languages of New Mexico. Topics: linguistic structure in particular languages and language families; relationship of languages and cultures; and language loss, maintenance and preservation.
Prerequisite: 322.
LING 417 / 517.
Typology and Universals.
(3)
Croft
An overview of language universals based on the comparison of a broad range of languages, and explanations for language universals. Topics covered include implicational universals, typological markedness, functional motivations, and diachronic typology.
Prerequisite: 322.
LING 425 / 525.
Semantic Analysis.
(3)
Croft
An introduction to the study of sentence and word level meaning in the languages of the world, emphasizing the role of speaker and hearer, linguistic and extralinguistic context, lexical semantics, and grammatical meaning.
Prerequisite: 301 or SIGN *305 or SPAN 351.
LING 429 / 529.
Discourse Analysis.
(3)
Jacobson
Introduction to the relationship of morphosyntax to the structure of discourse in the languages of the world. Topics: method and theory in the analysis of spoken and written discourse; basic notions such as topic, focus and cohesion.
Prerequisite: 322.
LING 433.
Sociolinguistic Variation.
(3)
Linguistic variability in relation to social status and situational context, attitudinal correlates of language stratification and sociolinguistic change in progress.
Prerequisite: (301 or SPAN 351) and (302 or 303 or SHS *303 or SPAN **350) and 331.
LING 446 / 546.
Introduction to Language Change.
(3)
Croft
Theories and methods of comparative and historical linguistics, emphasizing change in English, Indo-European and Native American languages.
Prerequisite: 304 or ANTH 317.
LING 447 / 547.
Introductory Old English.
(3)
(Also offered as ENGL 447 / 547)
Damico.
An introduction to the grammar, syntax, and phonology of Old English. Prepares students for more advanced studies in this and later periods.
LING 449.
Middle English Language.
(3)
(Also offered as ENGL 449 / 549)
Damico.
Comprehensive study of Middle English dialects and the development of Middle English from Old English. Prepares students for Middle English literature.
LING 460 / 560.
Child Language.
(3)
(Also offered as PSY 422)
Morford, Shin.
Theories, methodologies and findings in child language from birth to late childhood. Emphasizes implications of child language data for linguistic and psycholinguistic theories. Topics: biological foundations; pre-linguistic communication; phonological, syntactic, semantic and pragmatic development; bilingualism.
Prerequisite: 367 or PSY 324 or PSY 360 or PSY **367.
LING 469L / 569L.
Experimental Psycholinguistics.
(3)
Morford
Laboratory course in psycholinguistics; review of classic issues and research. Provides an opportunity to learn basic research methods in experimental psycholinguistics and gain skills necessary to conduct independent research.
Prerequisite: 367 or 567 or PSY **367.
LING 490 / 590.
Topics in Linguistics.
(3, no limit Δ)
Special topics motivated by expertise of instructor and interest of students.
LING 495.
Undergraduate Problems.
(1-6 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
For original individual study project approved by instructor. Maximum of 6 hours creditable to linguistics major or minor.
Restriction: permission of instructor.
LING 498.
Reading and Research for Honors.
(3)
Restriction: permission of instructor.
LING 499.
Honors Thesis.
(3)
LING 502.
Current Approaches to Phonology.
(3)
Smith.
The basic organizational units of phonology: features, segments, syllables, words, suprasegmentals, tone, stress and intonation. Topics: natural phonological processes, diachronic changes, and typological variation involving these units.
Prerequisite: 304 or 504 or SPAN 545.
LING 503.
Usage-based Phonology.
(3)
Smith
The nature of phonological representations in the lexicon and the interaction of morphology, syntax, and language use with phonology. Topics: underspecification, lexical phonology, cognitive phonology, rules, schemas, and productivity.
Prerequisite: 304 or 504 or SPAN 545.
LING 504 / 304.
Phonological Analysis.
(3)
(Also offered as ANTH 317)
Smith.
Introduction to patterns in sound structure, with an emphasis on problem-solving. Topics include distinctive features, common phonological processes, autosegmental theory and syllable structure.
Prerequisite: 302 or 303 or SHS *303.
LING 510.
Statistical Methods in Linguistics.
(3)
Overview of elementary and selected advanced statistical methods for the quantitative, usage-based analysis of language. Particular emphasis is placed on issues in linear and logistic regression modeling.
LING 512 / 412.
Morphosyntax.
(3)
Croft, Vallejos Yopán
Analysis of the morphology and syntax of a broad range of constructions, examining crosslinguistic variation and universals, semantic and discourse functions, and historical origins.
Prerequisite: 322 or 522.
LING 513 / 413.
Linguistic Field Methods.
(3)
Practice in transcribing from oral dictation, phonemic analysis, introduction to problems of morphology.
Prerequisite: (504 or SPAN **350) and 522.
{Offered upon demand}
LING 515 / 415.
Native American Languages.
(3)
Vallejos Yopán.
Survey of Indian languages of North America, with special emphasis on languages of New Mexico. Particular languages and such issues as classification; language structure; relationship of languages and cultures; and language loss, maintenance and preservation.
Prerequisite: 522.
LING 517 / 417.
Typology and Universals.
(3)
Croft
An overview of language universals based on the comparison of a broad range of languages, and explanations for language universals. Topics covered include implicational universals, typological markedness, functional motivations, and diachronic typology.
Prerequisite: 322 or 522.
LING 519.
Cognitive Linguistics.
(3)
Croft
Introduction to cognitive linguistic approaches (e.g., Cognitive Grammar, Construction Grammar) to syntax, morphology, and semantics. Grammatical phenomena at various scales from morpheme to discourse and in a variety of languages.
Prerequisite: 322 or 522 or SPAN 351.
LING 522 / 322.
Grammatical Analysis.
(3)
(Also offered as ANTH *318)
Croft.
Principles of morphological and syntactic analysis and introduction to functional and formal theories of grammar. Descriptive analysis of grammatical structures and problems from a variety of languages.
Prerequisite: 301 or SIGN *305 or SPAN 351.
LING 523.
Functional Syntactic Theories.
(3)
Croft, Vallejos Yopán, Wilcox
Description and explanation of morphological, syntactic, and discourse phenomena, both in language-specific and typological perspective, in terms of their cognitive representations and the cognitive and interactional processes in which they function.
Prerequisite: 322 or 522 or SPAN 351.
LING 525 / 425.
Semantic Analysis.
(3)
Croft
An introduction to the study of sentence and word level meaning in the languages of the world, emphasizing the role of speaker and hearer, linguistic and extralinguistic context, lexical semantics, and grammatical meaning.
Prerequisite: 301 or SIGN *305 or SPAN 351.
LING 529 / 429.
Discourse Analysis.
(3)
Jacobson
Introduction to the relationship of morphosyntax to the structure of discourse in the languages of the world. Topics: method and theory in the analysis of spoken and written discourse; basic notions such as topic, focus and cohesion.
Prerequisite: 322 or 522 or SPAN 351.
LING 531 / 331.
Language in Society.
(3)
Koops, Shin.
Introduction to sociolinguistics. Topics: social dialects, societal multilingualism, language contact, language attitudes, language policy and planning, the role of language in binding and defining communities.
Prerequisite: 2110 or 301 or 540.
LING 533.
Sociolinguistic Variation.
(3)
Linguistic variability in relation to social status and situational context, attitudinal correlates of language stratification and sociolinguistic change in progress.
LING 534 / 334.
Language and Gender.
(3)
Jacobson
This course provides an introduction to linguistic analyses of language used by and about women and men, exploring how language is used in constructing ourselves and others as men and women, gay, straight, or transgendered.
LING 539.
Seminar in Sociolinguistics.
(3, may be repeated three times Δ)
Variable topics such as variation theory, language planning, pidgins and creoles, language attitudes and dialectology.
LING 546 / 446.
Introduction to Language Change.
(3)
Croft
Theories and methods of comparative and historical linguistics, emphasizing change in English, Indo-European and Native American languages.
Prerequisite: 304 or 504 or SPAN 545.
LING 547 / 447.
Introductory Old English.
(3)
(Also offered as ENGL 547 / 447)
Damico.
An introduction to the grammar, syntax, and phonology of Old English. Prepares students for more advanced studies in this and later periods.
LING 548.
Grammaticization.
(3)
Grammaticization is the historical process by which words in constructions become grammatical units. The course examines this process across languages, focusing on mechanisms of change and implications for typology, universals and synchronic analysis.
Prerequisite: 412 or 512.
LING 554.
Seminar in Linguistic Theory.
(3, no limit Δ)
(Also offered as ANTH 514)
Current topics and issues in phonology, syntax or semantics.
LING 560 / 460.
Child Language.
(3)
(Also offered as PSY 422)
Morford, Shin.
Theories, methodologies and findings in child language from birth to late childhood. Emphasizes implications of child language data for linguistic and psycholinguistic theories. Topics: biological foundations; pre-linguistic communication; phonological, syntactic, semantic and pragmatic development; bilingualism.
Prerequisite: 367 or 567 or PSY **367.
LING 565.
Seminar in Thought and Language.
(3)
(Also offered as EDPY, PSY 565)
The role of language in human cognition is approached from a sociocultural framework. Topics: semiotic systems, languages of the mind, categorization, problem solving, and cognitive pluralism.
LING 567 / 367.
Psychology of Language.
(3)
(Also offered as PSY **367)
Morford.
Theoretical and methodological issues in psycholinguistics, including comprehension, speech perception and production, language acquisition, bilingualism, brain and language, reading.
Prerequisite: 301 or PSYC 2220 or SIGN *305.
LING 568.
Seminar in Psycholinguistics.
(3, may be repeated three times Δ)
(Also offered as PSY 569)
Morford.
Restriction: permission of instructor.
LING 569L / 469L.
Experimental Psycholinguistics.
(3)
Morford
Laboratory course in psycholinguistics; review of classic issues and research. Provides an opportunity to learn basic research methods in experimental psycholinguistics and gain skills necessary to conduct independent research.
Prerequisite: 367 or 567 or PSY 367.
LING 590 / 490.
Topics in Linguistics.
(1-3, no limit Δ)
Special topics motivated by expertise of instructor and interest of students.
LING 595.
Graduate Problems.
(1-6 to a maximum of 24 Δ)
Original independent study project approved by instructor.
Restriction: permission of instructor.
LING 599.
Master's Thesis.
(1-6, no limit Δ)
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
LING 697.
Qualifying Paper.
(3-9, may be repeated once Δ)
Original research leading to the qualifying paper.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
Restriction: admitted to Ph.D. Linguistics and permission of instructor.
LING 699.
Dissertation.
(3-12, no limit Δ)
Original research for doctoral dissertation in Linguistics. Available only to doctoral students who have been advanced to candidacy. Taken under supervision of dissertation director.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
NAVA 1110 [NVJO 101].
Navajo I [Elementary Conversational Navajo for Non-Native Speakers].
(3)
Manson.
Beginning Navajo for students with no previous exposure to the language. Development of all four language skills, with emphasis on listening and speaking.
1110 and 1130 may not both be counted for credit.
NAVA 1120 [NVJO 102].
Navajo II [Elementary Conversational Navajo for Non-Native Speakers].
(3)
Manson.
Beginning Navajo for students with no previous exposure to the language. Development of all four language skills, with emphasis on listening and speaking.
Prerequisite: 1110.
NAVA 1130 [NVJO 105].
Beginning Navajo Reading and Writing [Introduction to Written Navajo for Native Speakers].
(3)
Introduction to Navajo writing and reading; for native speakers of Navajo only.
1110 and 1130 may not both be counted for credit.
NAVA 1150 [NVJO 203].
Navajo Medical [Basic Medical Navajo].
(3)
Manson.
Navajo medical terminology and Navajo conceptions of health and well-being for students in the medical and allied professions. Does not satisfy language requirement of College of Arts and Sciences.
{Offered upon demand}
NAVA 2110 [NVJO 201].
Intermediate Navajo I [Intermediate Conversational Navajo I].
(3)
Manson.
Intermediate Navajo for students who have completed 1120 or equivalent. Introduction to Navajo phonology, morphology, syntax as well as the use of Young and Morgan's 'The Navajo Language'. Emphasis on comprehension and conversation.
Prerequisite: 1120.
NAVA 2120 [NVJO 202].
Intermediate Navajo II [Intermediate Conversational Navajo II].
(3)
Intermediate Navajo for students who have completed 2110 or equivalent. Continued exploration of Navajo sentence and word structure. Course work will involve extensive reading, writing as well as situational speaking and listening skills.
Prerequisite: 2110.
NVJO 311 / 511.
Navajo Verb System I.
(3)
This course focuses on Navajo phonology verb morphology and multifaceted nature of Navajo verb complex. Will also cover introduction to prefix template of Navajo verb, verb paradigms in imperfective mode, and its four sub-modes.
Prerequisite: 206 and NAVA 2120.
NVJO 312.
Navajo Verb System II.
(3)
The course continues study of the verb paradigms in Navajo and introduces the perfective, usitative, iterative, progressive and future modes. Extensive discussion on Navajo aspectual variation, stem alternations, conjugation patterns and verb parsing.
Prerequisite: 311.
NVJO 315.
Advanced Navajo.
(3)
An examination of Navajo syntax, including voice alternations (passive, causative), relative and subordinate clause constructions and discourse structure.
Prerequisite: 206 or NAVA 2120.
NVJO 401.
Navajo Linguistics.
(3)
Introduction to Navajo linguistics including examination of the nature and structure of the language. Linguistics areas including phonetics and phonology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics and sociolinguistics will be covered.
Prerequisite: 206 and NAVA 2120.
NVJO 495.
Undergraduate Problems.
(1-6 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
Restriction: permission of instructor.
NVJO 511 / 311.
Navajo Verb System I.
(3)
This course focuses on Navajo phonology verb morphology and multifaceted nature of Navajo verb complex. Will also cover introduction to prefix template of Navajo verb, verb paradigms in imperfective mode, and its four sub-modes.
Prerequisite: 206 and NAVA 2120.
NVJO 595.
Graduate Problems.
(1-6)
Original independent study project approved by instructor.
Restriction: permission of instructor.
SIGN 2125 [201].
Introduction to Signed Language.
(3)
Lujan, Myers.
Overview of signed language studies and related issues. Introduction to American Sign Language (ASL); signed communication systems most frequently used by deaf and hard of hearing individuals; the study of fingerspelling.
SIGN 2130 [212].
Fingerspelling [Fingerspelling I].
(3)
Lujan, Myers.
Assists the student in acquiring fluent fingerspelling ability through the use of visual and expressive drills. Videotapes of a variety of fingerspelling styles will be used to ensure that the student acquires a comprehensive background.
Prerequisite: 2125.
Restriction: permission of program coordinator.
SIGN 2150 [214].
Lexical Semantics for Transliteration.
(3)
Myers.
Examines polysemy of the English lexicon which transliterators must be concerned with, ranging from semantic prototypes to word meanings which are essentially fluid. Signs representing English morphology are also discussed.
Prerequisite: 2125.
Restriction: permission of program coordinator.
SIGN 2210 [210].
American Sign Language I.
(3)
Griffin, Myers.
Study of ASL, including basic concepts and sign lexicon. Grammatical features of ASL will be stressed, along with structure and syntax. The student will be expected to demonstrate to the instructor his or her proficiency at the end of the semester.
Prerequisite: 2125.
Restriction: permission of program coordinator.
SIGN 2220 [211].
American Sign Language II.
(3)
Griffin, Myers.
A study of ASL including sign language colloquialisms used in conversational signing. Provides a summary of information currently available dealing with the understanding of ASL grammatical structure and its sociolinguistic usage.
Prerequisite: 2210.
Restriction: permission of program coordinator.
SIGN *305.
Signed Language Linguistics.
(3)
Wilcox.
Examines linguistic research on signed languages, primarily ASL: phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics. Also covers signed language sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics, language acquisition (first and second) and neurolinguistics.
Prerequisite: 2210 and (LING 2110 or LING 301).
Restriction: permission of instructor.
SIGN *310.
American Sign Language III.
(3)
Griffin.
Designed to help students improve their expressive skills and general conversational competence in ASL relative to phonology, lexical items, syntax and discourse. Focuses on semantic appropriateness and accuracy of particular lexical items, appropriate use of non-manual behaviors and the use of context to determine meaning.
Prerequisite: 2220.
Restriction: permission of program coordinator.
SIGN 320.
American Sign Language IV.
(3)
Intensive practice involving receptive/expressive skills in complex grammatical structures, dialogue and storytelling. Intensive study of transcription techniques and their applications to ASL research and documentation.
Prerequisite: *310.
Restriction: permission of program coordinator.
SIGN *352.
Language and Culture in the Deaf Community, Part 1.
(3)
Myers, Wilcox.
An introduction to Deaf culture. Examines the language, education, social and political aspects and art forms of Deaf people from an anthropological point of view.
Restriction: permission of program coordinator.
SIGN 355.
Deaf History and Literature.
(3)
Griffin.
A study of the history of Deaf people, the Deaf community and an overview of all genres of Deaf literature. Topics include educational, social, political and economic aspects of the Deaf community from the Deaf perspective.
Prerequisite: *310 and *352.
Restriction: permission of program coordinator.
SIGN *360.
The Interpreting Profession.
(3)
Myers.
Addresses the mental processes essential to interpretation and transliteration. In addition to exercises used to develop interpreting strategies such as memory retention, message analysis, decalage, etc., the student is introduced to the interpreter's Code of Professional Conduct and business practices of the professional interpreter.
Prerequisite: 2130 and 2150 and *310 and *352 and LING 2110.
Restriction: permission of program coordinator.
SIGN 411.
Consecutive Interpretation.
(3)
Lujan, Shaffer.
Theory and practice of consecutive interpretation. Topics: message analysis, attention, cultural mediation, reducing interference from the source language. Equal time is spent with ASL and English texts.
Prerequisite: *360.
Restriction: admitted to B.S. Signed Language Interpreting and permission of program coordinator.
SIGN 412.
Simultaneous Interpreting.
(3)
Lujan, Shaffer.
Theory and practice of simultaneous interpretation. Topics: control of source-language input, team interpreting, self-monitoring and repair, preparation, providing feedback and special situations such as interpreting in medical settings.
Prerequisite: 411.
Restriction: admitted to B.S. Signed Language Interpreting and permission of program coordinator.
SIGN 418.
Signed Language Interpreting Research.
(3)
Shaffer, Wilcox.
A detailed study of current trends and practices in signed language interpreting and evaluation, along with similarities and differences between signed language and spoken language interpreting. Introduction to interpreting process models and assessment models and discussion of current research in the field of interpreting. Students will conduct a small-scale research project and participate in a debate of issues surrounding the interpreting profession.
Restriction: admitted to B.S. Signed Language Interpreting and permission of program coordinator.
SIGN 419.
Practicum in Signed Language Interpreting.
(1-3 to a maximum of 4 Δ)
Lujan, Shaffer.
Supervised practicum interpreting and transliterating in a variety of community and academic settings, including elementary through post-secondary classrooms, medical situations, vocational rehabilitation, platform and television interpreting and so forth. Supervised preparation for future private practice employment.
Prerequisite: *360.
Restriction: admitted to B.S. Signed Language Interpreting and permission of program coordinator.
SIGN 495.
Undergraduate Problems.
(1-6 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
Restriction: permission of instructor.
