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Course profile

Indigenous Languages: Understanding Language Descriptions for Access and Use (AUIL7201)

Study period
Sem 2 2024
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person

Course overview

Study period
Semester 2, 2024 (21/10/2024 - 16/11/2024)
Study level
Postgraduate Coursework
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person
Units
2
Administrative campus
St Lucia
Coordinating unit
Languages & Cultures School

Language materials and language descriptions are frequently locked away from community members and their language revitalisation efforts, in archives and in technical and reference grammars. This course critically reviews language description and collection and investigates Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Protocols and documentation practices through the lens of Indigenising Linguistics. Students will gain detailed understanding and application of technical language description and analysis of sound patterns, phrase, word and clause structures, and cultural meanings embedded in language.

Course requirements

Prerequisites

You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:

AUIL7200

Course staff

Course coordinator

Lecturer

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

Ensure your travel booking for workshops is in place.

Aims and outcomes

This course aims to develop students' understanding of critical frameworks and best practice in language resource management and description. It aims to equip students with linguistic terminology and techniques to access and repurpose technical language descriptions. 

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

LO1.

Critically engage with and contribute to current discussions on language and collections management and access, Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property rights and the opportunities and challenges presented by digital technologies.

LO2.

Apply linguistic frameworks and terminology to analyse Indigenous languages.

LO3.

Identify and analyse cultural meanings embedded in language features, recognizing the inseparable connection between language, culture, and identity and apply this to enrich language description and revitalisation practices.

LO4.

Repurpose and share specialist language knowledge with a range of audiences and for diverse purposes. 

Assessment

Assessment summary

Category Assessment task Weight Due date
Tutorial/ Problem Set Language Description Terms and Methods
  • Identity Verified
  • In-person
30%

30/10/2024

31/10/2024

1/11/2024

Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Project Case Study Report
  • Online
35%

8/11/2024 5:00 pm

Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Project, Reflection Own Language Resource Creation
  • Online
35%

14/11/2024 5:00 pm

Assessment details

Language Description Terms and Methods

  • Identity Verified
  • In-person
Mode
Written
Category
Tutorial/ Problem Set
Weight
30%
Due date

30/10/2024

31/10/2024

1/11/2024

Other conditions
Time limited.

See the conditions definitions

Task description

This assessment consists of three problem sets on the following topics.

  • Nouns
  • Verbs
  • Syntax

A 30-minute block will be allocated during the workshop for each set. Each problem set is marked out of 10 points.

Generative AI & MT Statement

This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Submission guidelines

The problem set will be completed in the workshop, copied and reviewed by the lecturer.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Case Study Report

  • Online
Mode
Written
Category
Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Project
Weight
35%
Due date

8/11/2024 5:00 pm

Task description

In this assessment, you will select an archival or published language resource to critically evaluate and write a report that:

  • introduces the context of your resource in general terms, e.g., situating it in terms of language group, location, people, personal experience and/or material discussed in class
  • describes the key aspects of a language resource or an archival object including author/s, speaker/s, format, location held, archival status, etc.
  • describes the intended purpose of the language resource or archival object
  • critically evaluates strengths and weaknesses of the resource using criteria of discoverability, accessibility, use and reliability
  • connects your evaluation to the readings and other class materials on the topic
  • demonstrates independent research, critical reading, synthesis and structuring

Expected length of the report is approximately 1500 words (+/- 10%, NO LONGER THAN 1650 words!).

Proposed structure and style of your report will be discussed in class. 

Statement on Generative AI & MT

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.

A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Submission guidelines

Submit report through Turnitin on Blackboard.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Own Language Resource Creation

  • Online
Mode
Written
Category
Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Project, Reflection
Weight
35%
Due date

14/11/2024 5:00 pm

Other conditions
Student specific.

See the conditions definitions

Task description

This assessment involves creating a language resource. You must design it for a specific purpose, identifying a strategy to distribute it and reflecting on how it meets the intended purpose. The resource may be in print, digital, video or other format as negotiated with the lecturer. The resource must apply aspects of language description (e.g. sounds, spelling, word classes, suffixes, phrases, sentence structure, cultural meanings embedded in language, etc.).

The assignment will include a copy of the resource itself and a commentary, which must include:

  • An overview explaining the intended context, audience and purpose of the resource (300-400 words)
  • A plan for a distribution and archiving strategy appropriate to the resource and your context (300-400 words)
  • A critical reflection that evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of your resource in meeting its intended purpose (400-600 words)

Commentary word length 1000-1400 words

Generative AI & MT Statement

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.

A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct

Submission guidelines

Submit your resource and commentary through Turnitin on Blackboard.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Grade Cut off Percent Description
1 (Low Fail) 0 - 24

Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.

2 (Fail) 25 - 44

Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.

3 (Marginal Fail) 45 - 49

Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes

4 (Pass) 50 - 64

Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes.

5 (Credit) 65 - 74

Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes.

6 (Distinction) 75 - 84

Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes.

7 (High Distinction) 85 - 100

Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes.

Additional course grading information

Marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course. 

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

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Learning period Activity type Topic
Week 13

(21 Oct - 27 Oct)

General contact hours

Pre-Workshop On-line Session 1

Overview of course work and readings

Links between Introduction and Language Description. Planning for archival material review and own language resource creation.

Revision week

(28 Oct - 03 Nov)

Workshop

Intensive Day 1

Monday – Session 1

What is grammar?

  • Descriptive vs prescriptive vs teaching grammars
  • Language materials and language descriptions – models, purposes, authors and audiences
  • Layers of language commonly found in published grammars and language descriptions

Monday – Session 2

Phonology – Sounds and spelling

  • Describing and comparing sounds across languages
  • Evaluating spelling systems / orthographies

Monday – Session 3

Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) rights

  • Definitions, purposes and gaps ICIP and Australian copyright laws
  • ICIP rights in international laws
  • Protocols for recognising and managing ICIP

Workshop

Intensive Day 2

Tuesday – Session 1

Describing Language with technical linguistic terminology

  • Nouns and associated classes in Indigenous languages

Tuesday – Session 2

Describing Language with technical linguistic terminology

  • Morphology / word-building

Tuesday – Session 1

Archival collections and published materials evaluation criteria - discoverability, accessibility, use and reliability.

  • Apply criteria by reviewing set of materials.
  • Small group work - planning for Assessment 2.

Workshop

Intensive Day 3

Wednesday – Session 1

Assessment task 2 - Problem set 1. Nouns and word building

Group task: Review terminology in in grammars/learner's guides of your or a related Language.

Wednesday – Session 2

Describing Language with technical linguistic terminology

  • Verbs and associated classes in Indigenous Languages

Wednesday – Session 3

Planning and discussion in small groups - Creating own language resources.

Workshop

Intensive Day 4

Thursday – Session 1

Assessment task 1. Problem set 2 - Verbs

Describing Language with technical linguistic terminology

  • Syntax / sentence-building in Indigenous Languages (part 1)

Thursday – Session 2

Describing Language with technical linguistic terminology

  • Explore cultural meanings embedded in language features, including classification systems, pronoun systems, metaphorical uses, meaning extensions, idioms and sign languages.

Thursday – Session 3

Critically examine ways of enriching language description and revitalisation practices, including connections between language, culture, country and identity; decolonising approaches to language description

  • Apply insights for own resource creation

Workshop

Intensive Day 5

Friday – Session 1

Describing Language with technical linguistic terminology

Syntax /sentence-building in Indigenous Languages (part 2)

Friday – Session 2

Assessment 1. Problem set 3. Syntax

Digital technologies - opportunities and challenges

  • Uses of digital technologies in language revitalisation – e.g. transcribing, databases, publishing, apps
  • ICIP and copyright issues – who owns materials that are published online?
  • Longevity of technology – software, apps, computers, devices

Nyingarn Platform demonstration

Friday – Session 3

Review of assessment tasks 2 & 3 progress

Exam week 1

(04 Nov - 10 Nov)

General contact hours

Post Workshop On-line Session 1

Review of Language description concepts and assessment 2 & 3 check in.

Exam week 2

(11 Nov - 17 Nov)

General contact hours

Post Workshop On-line Session 2

Assessment 3 check in, review and wrap up.

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.