In this course students work with a native speaker of an under-described language, learning how to document and describe a language from scratch. Instruction is given in the methodologies and technologies of linguistic fieldwork, including collection, analysis and organisation of data, and the social dimensions of working with speakers of minority languages. Students work together with the language consultant to collect and annotate language data and prepare it for archiving. They also undertake linguistic analysis of their primary data encompassing different aspects of the language’s grammar (morphosyntax, phonology, lexicon). The documentation and description of a language builds on students’ knowledge and skills from other linguistics courses, and deepens their understanding of working within the field of Linguistics, as well as on community-based language projects.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Collect and annotate primary linguistic data on an under-described language from language speakers
- Manage large amounts of linguistic data using state-of-the-art methods and technologies of data management and archiving
- Analyse grammatical structures of an unknown language on the basis of spoken linguistic data
- Articulate and present findings from primary linguistic data to a linguistic audience
- Work as a team in a setting where linguistic knowledge can only be advanced by pooling the findings of all other class members
Other Information
This is a co-taught course. Any cap on enrolments in one course applies to both courses combined.
Indicative Assessment
- Class Participation (10) [LO 1,2,3,5]
- Preliminary data deposit (10) [LO 1,2,3]
- Lexical report (five lexical items) (15) [LO 1,2,3,5]
- Annotated text (approximately 60 seconds) (20) [LO 1,2,3]
- Analytical paper (2,500 words) (45) [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
The total workload for this course including in class time and independent study is 130 hours.Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
None
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 |
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.
Winter Session
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6388 | 01 Jul 2026 | TBA | TBA | 30 Sep 2026 | In Person | N/A |