Comparative linguistics and language typology

The course provides an introduction to the systematic comparative study of languages representing different language families and structural types. It provides a basic understanding of recurring patterns in different language systems as well as hypotheses about the unity, diversity, possibilities and limitations of human language. The course introduces language universals and diversity in the following domains: phonology and morphology, syntax and information structure. The course also introduces the basic theories of language relationship from a synchronic and diachronic perspective.