Word order variation in Dutch: Linguistic research

Teacher(s)

De Smet Isabeau (compensates Degand Elisabeth); Degand Elisabeth;

Language

Dutch

Prerequisites

Students have successfully completed a basic grammar course of Dutch.   

Main themes

This course deals with word order variation in Dutch. The approach is both theoretical and empirical.  
From a theoretical point of view, the matter of word order variation is addressed through a selection of research articles analysing the phenomena of the syntagmatic variation in Dutch. 
From an empirical point of view, students will replicate one of the linguistic studies by applying methods and analyses in the field of corpus linguistics. 

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	Explain grammatical terminology and apply it correctly
2	Understand and be able to explain the scientific articles covered in class
3	Work in groups to replicate a linguistic study of word order variation (including data selection, coding and analysis)
4	Present the results of an empirical study in Dutch (in groups)
5	Write a research report in Dutch (in groups)
This learning unit contributes to the development and command of the following skills and learning outcomes of the ELAL programmes: 1.4, 1.6, 2.3, 2.6, 3.5, 3.6, 6.4, 6.6

Content

The course is an introduction to Dutch syntax focussing on different aspects of word order. A portfolio of scientific articles will give an overview of word order phenomena in Dutch, including regional and diamnesic variation. The theoretical notions will be put into practice through an empirical study (replication of one of the port folio studies).

Teaching methods

Flipped classroom teaching method, group work for the empirical study.

Evaluation methods

Oral examination based on the course portfolio (part A) and research report on the empirical study (part B). As the replication study is group work, monitoring will be carried out to ensure that all students complete their part of the work. Individual assessment will take into account the monitoring reports. Students who do not take part in the group work will not be able to sit the oral exam in the June session.
Language proficiency is also assessed during the oral examination. Students may be penalised by a maximum of 2 points for poor oral production (grammar, vocabulary, fluency).
The final mark is the weighted average of marks A and B. In the final mark, part A is worth 12/20 and part B is worth 8/20.
In the event of failure in June, only the course portfolio will be examined. The group work mark is not carried forward.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) must be used responsibly and in accordance with the practices of academic and scientific integrity. Scientific integrity requires that sources be cited, and the use of AI must always be reported. The use of artificial intelligence for tasks where it is explicitly forbidden will be considered as cheating.

Bibliography

Portfolio d'articles scientifiques disponible sur Moodle et en forme imprimée à la DUC

Teaching materials

• Woordvolgordevariatie in het Nederlands

Faculty or entity

> ELAL