Introduction to Linguistics: Analysis of the Greek Language

The aim of the course is to introduce students to the scientific approach to language by concentrating on the analysis of the Greek language and by attempting to debunk widespread inaccurate views and myths on language as a communicative resource and a social phenomenon. After a brief presentation of the functions of language and the subfields of linguistics, topics such as the following are discussed: the priority of oral discourse, writing systems, historical spelling, the concepts of “linguistic error” and language sign, semantic relations, and semantic change. Emphasis is also placed on pragmatic and sociolinguistic concepts such as speech acts, text, context, coherence, intertextuality, linguistic variability, style, register, anti-languages, dialects, language attitudes, and language standardization.
Sections of the course:
1. Introductory concepts – language myths – language as a communication code and a cognitive process
2. Phylogeny of language
3. Ontogeny of language
4. Areas of linguistic analysis: Phonetics
5. Phonetics of the Greek language
6. Areas of linguistic analysis: Phonology
7. Phonemic transcription and phonological rules of the Greek language
8. Areas of linguistic analysis: Morphology
9. Morphology of the Greek language
10. Areas of linguistic analysis: Syntax
11. Syntax of the Greek language
12. Areas of linguistic analysis: Semantics and Pragmatics
13. Semantics and Pragmatics of the Greek language