This course takes as its starting point the fact that all languages change over time. It explores explanations and motivations for change across different linguistic domains, and introduces students to cross-linguistic tendencies of language change and the linguistic and socio-cultural factors that underpin language continuity and change. Understanding language change forms the basis for learning how to reconstruct the linguistic past and classify languages into families. Both traditional and innovative theories and methodologies of language classification are shaped by the study of two large language families: Indo-European, encompassing languages from Ireland in western Europe to India and Bangladesh in South Asia; and Austronesian, which spans Asia and the Pacific, from Taiwan to Easter Island. Students will learn about the role of these two language families in past and on-going developments in the field of historical linguistics, and in our understanding of how linguistic reconstruction contributes to reconstructing the non-linguistic human past.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of how and why languages change
- Critically apply methods of describing linguistic changes and reconstructing earlier stages of languages to primary language data
- Apply and critically evaluate theories and models for determining genetic relationships between languages
- Review and critically asses key research on language histories
- Communicate clearly and knowledgeably on language continuity and change
Indicative Assessment
- Participation: in-class activities (5) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Participation: online quizzes (completed weekly and best 10 quizzes count towards mark) (5) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Analytical Assignments - 2x 15% each (each one equivalent to 800 words) (30) [LO 1,2,3,5]
- Essay: proposal (200 words) (5) [LO 1,3,4]
- Essay: written essay (2,000 words) (25) [LO 1,3,4,5]
- Final Exam (1,000 words plus data analysis) (30) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
This course requires a total of 130 hours commitment, which includes:
- 36 hours of synchronous classes
- 94 hours of independent study, including readings and class preparation, as well as work on assessment items.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
The course textbook is:
Millar, Robert McColl. 2023. Trask's historical linguistics. 4th edition. London: Routledge.
Additional readings include journal articles and book chapters and details of these will be provided on the course Wattle site.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 1
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $4320 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $5580 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8663 | 21 Jul 2025 | 28 Jul 2025 | 31 Aug 2025 | 24 Oct 2025 | In Person | N/A |