Crazy Linguistically Rich Asian Languages

Catalog description

For many monolingual Americans, English is the only language they have thought in, spoken, and tried to understand. Languages vary considerably and understanding how and why languages differ and what this means for communication, society, and culture are important steps in creating more global and intercultural citizens. The languages spoken in China, Japan, and Korea (and more broadly, East Asia) differ from English in a number of striking ways. In this course, students will gain an understanding of the sound systems, morphosyntax, lexicon, and writing systems of various East Asian languages. Students will also learn how these neighboring languages and cultures have interacted and changed over time.