Cecilia E. Ford, Professor

Department of English
University of Wisconsin
Madison WI 53706

Email Cecilia E. Ford

English 325: English in use: Interactional Linguistics

It is through spoken interaction (or through manual signing) that humans first learn language, and it is through interaction that we establish and maintain our social lives. Being an expert in English, or any language, means understanding the structuring of language in the everyday lives of its users. If using language is central to your work, you will want to cultivate your knowledge of and curiosity about language in use, along with your confidence and skill in its analysis. In this class we explore grammar in interaction: grammar in its "natural habitat" of use. In English 324, or another introductory course in linguistics, you have already practiced analyzing the structures of sentences; in English 325 we move into the realm of everyday talk to discover the "order" in ordinary language use.

To support a cross-linguistic perspective on human language, our readings include studies of interaction in diverse languages, and for analytic assignments, students may choose to use languages other than English. Grading is based on analytic exercises, class preparation (as reflected in general discussions and in small group tasks), and exams (midterm and final). Graduate students with on-going research projects may obtain permission to work on that research for course credit on an individual basis.