Department of German
UW-Madison
College of Letters & Science

351: Introduction to German Linguistics, 3 cr.

Louden, TR 9:30-10:45

Prerequisites: German 226

In this course we will explore the spoken German language from a general linguistic perspective. The course will be divided into two major parts. In the first, we will examine the sounds of German against the backdrop of the history of the language. We will also learn about the dialectal landscape of German, focusing on three major varieties: Berlinish, Saxon, and Bavarian. In the second half of the course we will look at how German words and sentences are formed. Our treatment of word formation will include analysis of the functions of the most productive prefixes and suffixes, as well the processes by which compound nouns are formed. Most of the data in this section will be words that have recently entered the German language, including many from youth speech (Jugendsprache). We will also consider how loanwords from English are adopted into German, drawing on examples from varieties spoken in both Europe and North America. Finally, we will wrap up the course with an examination of some of the major syntactic structures of German, the focus here being on variation in word order. The final grade for this course will be determined mainly on the basis of ten homework assignments and two take-home examinations. The course will be conducted in German.