ML 215. Fundamentals of Human Language.3 Credits.
Human language involves much more than vocabulary and grammar. It is a dynamic, complex system for conveying meaning via sound, images/text, and gestures. In this interdisciplinary course, students will explore the structural components of language, including sound patterns, word formation, syntax, and semantics, and understand how these phenomena evolve over time. Regional, social, and cultural impact on language development will also be covered. Based on this foundation, students will pursue individual projects on linguistic topics of their choice, such as language acquisition, neurolinguistics, computational linguistics, or forensic linguistics. This course assumes no prior study of linguistics or foreign languages. All reading and discussion will be in English. This course does not fulfill a foreign language requirement.
Prerequisites: None
Offered: As needed
UC: Breadth Elective
ML 237. Using Artificial Intelligence in Translation.1 Credit.
This course demystifies and demonstrates the wonderful opportunities available using AI in translating a variety of texts (from newspaper and field-specific articles to literary texts) from Spanish to English and vice versa. Students also learn the importance of possessing foundational knowledge in both languages to oversee translation accuracy and intent.
Prerequisites: None
Offered: As needed
ML 241. How Languages Die..1 Credit.
UNESCO estimates that thousands of languages will disappear by the end of this century, at a rate of one every two weeks. An overwhelming number of these endangered languages are spoken by indigenous peoples. When a language vanishes, so does the culture to which the language gives voice. This course will look at how languages become endangered and extinct as well as at efforts undertaken to revitalize them.
Prerequisites: None
Offered: As needed, All
ML 242. Lang Localization-Intercultural Comm.1 Credit.
In business, marketing, healthcare, public affairs and many other realms, literal translations are fraught with the potential for miscommunication and embarrassment. Effective intercultural communication takes into account political, social, and cultural factors, as well as lexical meaning. Students in this course will explore what language localization is and how it is applied in various types of communication. Knowledge of a language other than English is helpful, but not required.
Prerequisites: None
Offered: As needed
ML 243. Conlangs: How to Create a Language.1 Credit.
Constructed languages (conlangs) in books, films, and television lend texture, depth, and realism to storytelling. 'Tolkien's Lord of the Rings' trilogy, Star Trek, and Game of Thrones offer perhaps the most prominent examples of invented languages to express the invented cultures at the heart of the stories. Elvish, Klingon, and Dothraki, to name a few, are conceived as language systems with grammar, syntax, semantics, and other fundamental elements of language. This course will take a closer look at these, as well as at conlangs outside the realm of fiction, such as Esperanto and Toki Pona, to learn how they were developed and how they fare as living languages. This knowledge will serve as the basis for students to sketch out their own conlangs.
Prerequisites: None
Offered: As needed
ML 244. Forensic Linguistics.1 Credit.
Forensic linguistics is the application of linguistic principles and methods to aid in civil and criminal investigations and provide insights in trials and judicial procedures and other legal contexts. This course will introduce students to the field of forensic linguistics and the role of linguistics as an investigative tool. Prior study of linguistics is not required but ML 215 Fundamentals of Human Language is recommended.
Prerequisites: Prior study of linguistics is not required; ML215 Fundamentals of Human Language is recommended.
Offered: As needed, All
ML 370. History of the Romance Languages.3 Credits.
Students study the historical linguistic development of Romance languages: Spanish, Catalan, French, Italian, Portuguese, Rhetian, Sardinian and Romanian. Students also compare Romance languages with their modern dialects. The course is taught in English.
Prerequisites: None
Offered: As needed