LG359-6-SP-CO:
World Language Structures
2025/26
Language and Linguistics
Colchester Campus
Spring
Undergraduate: Level 6
Current
Monday 12 January 2026
Friday 20 March 2026
15
14 April 2025
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
BA Q100 Linguistics,
BA Q101 Linguistics (Including Year Abroad),
BA Q102 Linguistics (Including Foundation Year),
BA Q103 Linguistics (Including Placement Year),
BA RQ91 Modern Languages and Linguistics,
BA RQ98 Modern Languages and Linguistics (5 Years Including Foundation Year),
BA R114 Language Studies and Linguistics,
BA R115 Language Studies and Linguistics (Including Foundation Year)
This module explores syntax from a cross-linguistic perspective and provides students with an understanding of variation in linguistic structure from a quantitative perspective. We examine key concepts of grammatical organization as exhibited in the languages of the world. We look at structural variation by applying basic statistical methods to model the distribution of linguistic features across the languages of the world.
The aims of this module are:
- To introduce students to the key goals and motivation behind cross-linguistic syntactic analysis
- To provide students with an understanding of variation in the structure of the world’s languages
- To equip students with the skills of linguistic and quantitative analysis using data from a range of languages
- To develop critical thinking skills in the application of statistical methods in the study of syntactic variation across languages
By the end of this module, students will be expected to:
- Engage with key issues and concepts in grammatical analysis
- Understand the goal of enquiry in syntax from a cross-linguistic perspective
- Explore variation in linguistic structures and its statistical distribution in the world’s languages
- Analyse linguistic data from a range of languages
- Use quantitative data to support argumentation
Statistical analysis in comparative linguistics
Grammar in cross-linguistic perspective
Relationships within the clause
Lexical classes
Processes that change grammatical relations
Tense-aspect-mood
Constituents and configurationality
Sentence types
Wh-constructions
Language universals
This module will be delivered via:
One 2-hour lecture/seminar per week
This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Assignment 1 |
|
40% |
| Coursework |
Assignment 2 |
|
60% |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Joseph Lovestrand, email: joseph.lovestrand@essex.ac.uk.
Joey Lovestand
Joey Lovestrand, jl24193@essex.ac.uk, office: 4.125, number: x2286
Yes
No
Yes
Dr Roxanne Taylor
University of Huddersfield
Lecturer in English
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.
* Please note: due to differing publication schedules, items marked with an asterisk (*) base their information upon the previous academic year.
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