After successful completion of the course, students are expected:

On the level of knowledge:

• To have become familiar with the subject, basic principles and concepts of linguistics
• To describe language and how it differs from other communication systems
• To distinguish between language, speech and communication
• To recognize everyday (naïve) perceptions of language issues
• To know basic facts about the neurobiological background of language, its historical evolution in the human species (phylogeny) and its development in the human being (ontogeny)
• To be familiar with the different aspects of the language system (phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics)
• To be aware of the fact that language varies according to context (pragmatics) and according to social and geographical factors (sociolinguistics)

On the level of skills:

• To distinguish the non-scientific from the scientific view of language issues, such as geographical variation and historical change, and to argue for the latter
• To identifythe various aspects of language (phonology, morphology, etc.)
• To do literature searches on topics concerning the different aspects of the language to deepen their theoretical understanding of the latter as well as for practical purposes

On the level of abilities:

• To distinguish between language, speech and communication disorders in the future before planning appropriate interventions
• To identify and categorize language deviations/disorders (as phonological, morphological, etc.) in children and people with language pathologies to create appropriate interventions in the future
  

• Ability to apply knowledge to practice
• Adapting to new situations
• Criticism and self-criticism
• Decision-making
• Production of free, creative and inductive thinking
• Respect for difference and multiculturalism
• Search for, analysis and synthesis of data and information, with the use of the necessary technology
• Showing social, professional and ethical responsibility and sensitivity to gender issues
• Working independently 

Short Course Description: 

This introductory course aims at familiarizing students with the subject, basic principles and concepts of modern linguistics, i.e. with the scientific study of language, in fact in contrast to traditional (pre-scientific) views ofand long-established myths about language. The course presents the design featuresand communicative functions of language, which is defined as a code of communication radically different from other communicative systems such as animal communication systems. It also refers to the neurobiological bases of language, its phylogeny and ontogenesis. Next, it focuses on the various levels of language description, from the sounds that support it to the structure and meaning of words, phrases and sentences. In other words, it provides an overview of the areas of phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics. In addition, it discusses how the use and interpretation of language is influenced by context (pragmatics) as well as the relationship between language and society as reflected e.g. in the social and geographical variations of the former (sociolinguistics).

The structure of the course is as follows:

1. The subject of study and the branches of linguistics. Basic terminology, including language (langue) and speech (parole).
2. Fundamentals of modern linguistics versus traditional grammar and strong biases about language such as the misconceptioni of language change as decay.
3. General characteristics of language (double articulation, arbitrariness, productivity, etc.) as compared to other communication systems such as those of animals.
4. Language as a system. Syntagmatic and paradigmatic relations between its elements. Communicative functions of language (referential, emotional, poetic, etc.)
5. The neurobiological bases of language. Phylogeny and ontogeny of language. Critical periods in language development.
6. Phonetics: language sounds. Mainly, articulatory phonetics: vocal organs and production of linguistic sounds.
7. Phonology: the form or function of language sounds. Phonemes and allophones, distinctive features, phonological phenomena (assimilation, dissumilation, etc.), prosodic elements.
8. Morphology: word formation rules in the domains of grammatical inflection, derivation and compounding. Morphemes and allomorphs. Types of morphemes.
9. Syntax: the grammatical structure of phrases and sentences. Generative grammars and transformations. Grammatical and ungrammatical sentences. Language ability and language performance
10. Semantics: the meaning of words, phrases and sentences. Semantic relations of words (e.g. polysemy and synonymy). Logical-semantic relationships of propositions (equivalence, entailment, contradiction).
11. Pragmatics: language in relation to its users. Speech acts, maxims of conversation, conversational implicatures.
12. Language and society: linguistic variation and the factors that determine it, i.e. time, space, social characteristics of speakers, etc.
13. Recapitulation

The course includes educational exercises.

Final written exam based on open-ended questions, short-answer questions and/or multiple choice questionnaires (including true/false questions). 

Language of evaluation: Greek and, for Erasmus students, English

Specifically-defined evaluation criteria become available via e-Class.

- Readings:

Goutsos, D. (2020). Language: Text, variation, system (2nd edn.). Kritiki. [in Greek]

Lekakou, M., & Topintzi, N. (Eds.). (2022). An introduction to linguistics: Foundational concepts and basic branches with an emphasis on the Greek language. Gutenberg. [in Greek]

Pavlidou, Th.-S. (2008). Levels of linguistic analysis (5th edn.). Institute of Modern Greek Studies (M. Triandafyllidis Foundation). [in Greek]

- Suggested bibliography:

Andreou, G. (2012). Language: Theoretical and methodological approach. Pedio. [in Greek]

Babiniotis, G. (1998). Theoretical linguistics: Introduction to modern linguistics. Self-Printed. [in Greek]

Chatzissavidis, S. (2012). Modern Greek grammar: Theoretical foundations and description. Vanias. [in Greek]

Christidis, A.-Ph. (2005). General linguistics Ι: General characteristics of language. Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (electronic version: https://www.lit.auth.gr/sites/default/files/documents/glw301_shmeiwseis_xristidis.pdf) [in Greek]

Christidis, A.-Ph. (Ed. In collaboration with M. Theodoropoulou). (2001). Encyclopedic guide to language: Centre for the Greek Language. (electronic version: http://www.komvos.edu.gr/glwssa/odigos/odigos_n.htm) [in Greek]

Dirven, R., & Verspoor, M. (2004). Cognitive exploration in language and linguistics (Trans.-Adjust.-Eds. A. Athanasiadou & M. Milapidis). University Studio Press. [in Greek]

Fromkin, V., Rodman, R., & Hyams, N. (2008). An introduction to the study of language (Trans. E. Vazou et al.., Ed. G. I. Xydopoulos). Patakis. [in Greek]

Haris, G. (Ed.). (2001). Ten myths about the Greek language. Patakis. [in Greek]

Holton, D., Mackridge, P., & Filippaki-Warburton, I. (2016). A grammar of Modern Greek (Trans. V. Spyropoulos. Ed. I. Filippaki-Warburton). Patakis. [in Greek]

Lyons, J. (1995). An introduction to linguistics (Trans. M. Arapopoulou et al.. Ed. G. Karanasios). Patakis. [in Greek]

Lyons, J. (2002). Introduction to theoretical linguistics (Trans. A. Anastasiadi-Symeonidi et al.). Metechmio. [in Greek]

Magoulas, G., & Magoula, E. (2017). Topics in synchronic and diachronic linguistics [Undergraduate textbook]. Kallipos, Open Academic Editions. http://hdl.handle.net/11419/6509 [in Greek]

Mounin, G. (1984). Key concepts in language and linguistics (Trans. A. Anastasiadi-Symeonidi). National Bank of Greece Cultural Foundation. [in Greek]

Panagiotidis, Ph. (2013). Talk to me about language: A short introduction to linguistics. Crete University Press. [in Greek]

Petrounias, E. (2007). Modern Greek grammar and comparative analysis, vol. 1: Phonetics and introductory phonology, Part 1: Theory. Ziti. [in Greek]

Philippaki-Warburton, I. (1992). Introduction to theoretical linguistics. Nefeli. [in Greek]

Saussure, F. de. (1979). Course in general linguistics (Trans. F. D. Apostolopoulos). Papazisis. [in Greek]

Veloudis, G. (2008). General linguistics Ι: General characteristics of language. Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (electronic version: https://www.lit.auth.gr/sites/default/files/documents/shmeiwseis.pdf) [in Greek]

- Related academic journals:

Γλωσσολογία/Glossologia (http://glossologia.phil.uoa.gr/)

Journal of Greek Linguistics

Journal of Linguistics

Language

Lingua

- Useful links:

Portal for the Greek Language: http://www.greek-language.gr/greekLang/index.html

Dictionary of Linguistic Terms – Portal for the Greek Language: 

http://www.greek-language.gr/greekLang/modern_greek/tools/lexica/glossology/index.html

A Glossary of Linguistic Terms that are used in school textbooks: 

http://www.greek-language.gr/digitalResources/modern_greek/tools/lexica/glossology_edu/index.html

https://eclass.uop.gr/courses/SLT101/