Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 09/05/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Languages & Cultures School
In a world where increasing numbers of speech communities are coming into contact through globalisation and
colonisation, it is important to understand how languages influence and change each other. Contact between the
vocabulary and grammar of languages originates in the minds of bilinguals and is integral to evolution and
development of linguistic systems. This course examines the structural and lexical effects of languages in contact,
as well as the rise of new languages such as pidgins and creoles.
This course consists of bi-ﾠweekly workshops on grammatical aspects of language contact. The course is intended as an advanced level course and is valuable for completing a major or transitioning into postgraduate study. Students taking this course will have some flexibility with the topics of assessment pieces (which will consist of a major assignment, extended language profile and short oral presentations).
Course requirements
Assumed background
LING2040 Morphology or permission of course convenor.
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
LING2040
Recommended prerequisites
We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:
LING2045
Course staff
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
This course will be taught in the first six weeks of semester, twice a week.
Public holidays:
Alternative arrangements for affected students will be announced through the Blackboard site.
Class allocation:
In order to optimise the student experience, it may be necessary to reallocate students to a different class from their first choice. Before this happens, every effort will be made to enable students to voluntarily change into an alternative class that is suitable. Please note: Teaching staff do not have access to the timetabling system to help with class allocation. Therefore, should you need
help with your timetable and/or allocation of classes, please ensure you email hass.mytimetable@uq.edu.au from your UQ student email account with the following details:
- Full name,
- Student ID, and
- the Course Code
Additional information and support can be found here.
Aims and outcomes
In a world where increasing numbers of speech communities are coming into contact through globalisation and colonisation, the place of language contact studies in the discipline of linguistics is gaining importance. Contact between languages originates in individuals who speak more than one language, and the lexicon and grammar of these languages start influencing each other in the mind of these bilinguals. World-wide, bilingualism is more common than monolingualism meaning that studies of language contact provide valuable insights into the structure and use of language by the majority of humans.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Identify a research topic within your field.
LO2.
Structure and carry out research in your field.
LO3.
Access, evaluate and critique secondary sources.
LO4.
Develop and express critical argumentation.
LO5.
Organise and present written research.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presentation |
Aspects of Language Contact in...
|
10% |
5/03/2025 11:00 am 12/03/2025 11:00 am 19/03/2025 11:00 am 26/03/2025 11:00 am 2/04/2025 11:00 am
Throughout semester. The student's assigned timeslot will be considered the due date and time for this assessment. |
| Essay/ Critique |
4 Individual sections of the minor assignment 'Asp
|
20% |
11/03/2025 5:00 pm 18/03/2025 5:00 pm 25/03/2025 5:00 pm 1/04/2025 5:00 pm
Throughout semester. |
| Essay/ Critique |
Aspects of Language Contact in ...
|
20% |
14/04/2025 1:00 pm |
| Essay/ Critique |
Research Assignment
|
50% |
12/05/2025 1:00 pm |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Aspects of Language Contact in...
- Hurdle
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Oral
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
5/03/2025 11:00 am
12/03/2025 11:00 am
19/03/2025 11:00 am
26/03/2025 11:00 am
2/04/2025 11:00 am
Throughout semester. The student's assigned timeslot will be considered the due date and time for this assessment.
- Other conditions
- Student specific.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
Aspects of Language Contact in...
- Sociohistorical background and language situation
- Aspects of contact in the noun phrase
- Aspects of contact in pronouns
- Aspects of contact in the verb phrase
Two presentations on one of these four sections of the minor assignment 'Aspects of contact in …'
These will be presented in the tutorial, and are worth 10% altogether. It should consist of a 10 minute presentation of one aspect of the topic for the week.
Students will be asked to select a contact languages to work on (from a list provided by the lecturer with suggested readings). They then select topics and weeks for the presentations in the first week of class. They sign up for the presentations on a google sheet provided by the lecturer in the first week of class.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
Must be undertaken to pass the course.Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
In order to flow with the content of the lectures, the presentations cannot be presented more than a week after the original due date.
4 Individual sections of the minor assignment 'Asp
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
11/03/2025 5:00 pm
18/03/2025 5:00 pm
25/03/2025 5:00 pm
1/04/2025 5:00 pm
Throughout semester.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
These are due before class and worth 20%. They should be approximately 400 words each.
- Sociohistorical background and language situation due before class by 11 March.
- Aspects of contact in the noun phrase due before class by 18 March.
- Aspects of contact in pronouns due before class by 25 March.
- Aspects of contact in the verb phrase due before class by 1 April.
These sections are based on a single contact language. Students will be asked to select a contact languages to work on (from a list provided by the lecturer with suggested readings).
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submission via Blackboard link.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
In order to align with Assessment 3, these assignments cannot be submitted more than two weeks after the original due date.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Aspects of Language Contact in ...
- Hurdle
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
14/04/2025 1:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
This assignment consists of a 2000 word essay which includes the following sections, as well as sections on the noun phrase, pronouns, verbs and sentences:
(i) Introduction
- where language is spoken and by whom
- overview of pattern of mixing (lexicon, grammar)
- interesting features which you will cover in the essay
(ii) Sociohistorical background and current sociolinguistic situation
- map of where the language is spoken
- number and cultural background of speakers
- relevant migration, colonisation or invasion history
These sections are based the shorter essays written in Assessment 2. They are based on the same contact language. Students will have already selected a contact languages to work on (from a list provided by the lecturer with suggested readings).
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
Must be submitted to pass the courseSubmission guidelines
Submission via Blackboard link.
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.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Research Assignment
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 50%
- Due date
12/05/2025 1:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
This assignment consists of a 3000 word essay on one of three topics:
(i) Are Creoles a typologically distinct class of language?
(ii) Do mixed languages derive from code-switching?
(ii) Can inflectional morphology be borrowed?
Additional topics may be negotiated with the lecturer.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submission via Blackboard link.
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.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
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
Library resources are available 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.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (24 Feb - 02 Mar) |
Workshop |
Introduction to Language Contact Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Workshop |
Explanations of Assignment 1 Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Workshop |
Pidgins and Creoles I Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Workshop |
No tutorial Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Week 2 (03 Mar - 09 Mar) |
Workshop |
Pidgins and Creoles II Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Workshop |
5-10min Presentations Sociohistorical Background and Current Situation Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Workshop |
Borrowing Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Workshop |
5-10min Presentations Sociohistorical Background and Current Situation Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Week 3 (10 Mar - 16 Mar) |
Workshop |
Code-switching Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Workshop |
5-10min Presentations Noun Phrases Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Workshop |
Mixed Languages I Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Workshop |
5-10min Presentations Noun Phrases Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Week 4 (17 Mar - 23 Mar) |
Workshop |
Mixed Languages II Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Workshop |
5-10min Presentations Pronouns Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Workshop |
Metatypy Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Workshop |
5-10min Presentations Pronouns Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Week 5 (24 Mar - 30 Mar) |
Workshop |
Language Attrition and Obsolescence Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Workshop |
5-10min Presentations Verbs Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Workshop |
Verbs and language contact Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Workshop |
5-10min Presentations Verbs Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Week 6 (31 Mar - 06 Apr) |
Workshop |
Inflectional morphology and language contact Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Workshop |
5-10min Presentations Sentences Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Workshop |
Variation and language contact Public holiday--no class. There will be a pre-recorded lecture available. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
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:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.