Are you interested in a language that’s both fusional and polysynthetic? How about a language that uses contrastive tones, multiple laterals and ejectives? In this course, you’ll explore the unique structure of Diné Bizaad (Navajo), an Athabascan/Dene language from the US Southwest which challenges linguists and learners alike. You will gain a solid understanding of Navajo’s fundamental structure and explore its rich history, including its linguistic origins, its significant role in World War II, and the current status of its speakers. We will read scholarly articles and work with excerpts from textbooks and the Young and Morgan dictionaries. Engage with a language that will broaden your understanding of Native American languages and unfamiliar linguistic categories! The class will be taught in Leconte Hall 341 on Tuesdays/Thursdays from 9:35-10:50 am. PREREQUISITES: LING 2100, 2100E, OR 2100H CRN: 71126 INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Lukas Denk, instructor for Introduction to the Study of Language and Phonetics and Phonology.
