LFU:online

An understanding of the interaction between phonology, morphology, and syntax on a cross-linguistic basis.

The goal of this course is for students to familiarize themselves with and analyze so-called "clitics." While clitics are usually described as elements that partly behave like affixes and partly behave like words, in actual linguistic analysis the term is applied to very different elements and/or form classes. Since the concept plays a major role in phonological, morphological, and syntactic theorizing, it is essential to critically investigate the issues that arise during the analysis of (putative) clitics.

At the beginning of this course, there will be a general introduction to the topic, which will center on the definition of the "word." The problems that arise from this approach will be illustrated with the help of examples from languages across the world. Subsequently, further (putative) clitics will be introduced, discussed, and contextualized by means of student presentations that focus on case studies of clitics in individual languages. Ideally, the course will result in a more nuanced typology of formal units in which clitics are complemented by separate yet similar form classes.

Combined

Active participation, short presentation, write-up of the presentation

The sources required for the short presentation will be made available by the instructor.

As a general textbook, students are invited to consult the following work:

Spencer, Andrew & Ana Luís. 2012. Clitics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Note, however, that this is not a mandatory reading. A PDF will be made available by the instructor upon request.

Completion of the "Morphology and Syntax" module is recommended but not mandatory.