course-details-portlet

SPRÅK2200

Diachronic Linguistics: How Languages Change

This course is no longer taught and is only available for examination.

Credits 7.5
Level Intermediate course, level II
Language of instruction Norwegian
Location Trondheim
Examination arrangement School exam

About

About the course

Course content

The course deals with questions such as: What are the implications of two languages being related, and how does a language develop through time? How does a sound or the meaning of a word change, and how do new ways of inflection occur? How can we reconstruct a proto-language, and what occurs when a new language suddenly arises? The contents and focus in this course may vary somewhat from semester to semester.

Learning outcome

Knowledge and general competence

After having finished the course, the student is at least expected to have knowledge about, use or discuss:

  • Important elements of the history of the subject
  • Important principles of reconstruction
  • Important principles and phenomena in language change, basic language typology, and language contact

Skills

After having finished the course, the student is at least expected to:

  • Apply this competence in academic reflection on relevant issues
  • Perform reconstructions, and discuss and analyze linguistic phenomena and processes on the basis of theoretical competence within the subject

Learning methods and activities

Lectures and teaching in smaller groups. Obligatory exercises have to be approved before the candidate may sit the written exam. Each of the obligatory papers should be 3-6 A4 pages. In special cases, students may be eligible to sit a take-home exam instead of a regular exam. An application is required. Approved obligatory assignment is valid for 2 semesters (the semester in which the approval is given, plus the following semester).

Compulsory assignments

  • 3 approved exercises.

Course materials

The reading list will be announced at the beginning of the semester.

Subject areas

  • English Language
  • German Language
  • French Language
  • Applied Linguistics
  • Applied Linguistics
  • Linguistics
  • Scandinavian Linguistics

Contact information

Course coordinator

Department with academic responsibility

Department of Language and Literature

Examination

Examination

Examination arrangement: School exam
Grade: Letter grades

Ordinary examination - Autumn 2025

School exam
Weighting 100/100 Examination aids Code E Date 2025-10-07 Time 09:00 Duration 4 hours Exam system Inspera Assessment
Place and room for school exam

The specified room can be changed and the final location will be ready no later than 3 days before the exam. You can find your room location on Studentweb.

Sluppenvegen 14
Room SL310 turkis sone
1 candidate

Ordinary examination - Spring 2026

School exam
Weighting 100/100 Examination aids Code E Duration 4 hours Exam system Inspera Assessment Place and room Not specified yet.