Frajzyngier's work is focused on the following areas: (1) Foundations of syntax and semantics (several books, some co-authored), numerous papers) (2) Description of undocumented and endangered languages (published studies of Awutu and grammars of Pero, Mupun, Lele, Gidar, Mina, Hdi, Wandala, and dictionaries of Pero, Mupun, and Hdi) (3) Emergence and evolution of grammatical systems (two books and numerous papers) (4) Linguistic Typology (6 books (two-coedited) , numerous papers) (5) Morphological theory (several papers) (6) Phonological theory (several papers) (7) Reference systems (several papers) (8) Language contact (9) Single-generation languages Frajzyngier worked alone or with collaborators on: Hausa (co-authored book ), Berber (two co-authored papers), English, Polish, Mandarin, Russian, Sino-Russian idiolects. Additional fieldwork on: Mada, Masa, Cibak, Hona, Kapsiki, and Somrai.
keywords
Fundamental issues in the structure of language, functions coded in the language and the forms that code them, foundations of semantics and syntax, undocumented and endangered languages of Nigeria, Cameroon, and Chad, grammaticalization and historical syntax, morphological theory, emergence of functions in language and a new geographical area, Chinese and Sino-Russian idiolects
LING 3430 - Semantics
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2020
Theoretical and practical study of meaning in natural language. Considers both semantic theories and semantic phenomena from diverse languages.
LING 3800 - Special Topics in Linguistics
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2019
Intensive study of a selected area or problem in linguistics. May be repeated up to 12 total credit hours.
LING 4100 - Perspectives on Language
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2020 / Fall 2020
Provides extended critical examination of a few selected issues, chosen each term for their general interest and relevance, e.g., the relation between language and thought, or human language vs. animal languages, and computer languages. May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours, provided topics vary. Recommended prerequisite: LING 2000.
LING 7100 - Field Methods 1
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Spring 2020
Introduces the process of discovering structure of a language from data obtained directly from its speakers. Emphasizes effectiveness in the field context, rapid recognition of structural features,and preliminary formulation using computational tools. Recommended prerequisites: LING 5410 and LING 5420.
LING 7570 - Advanced Diachronic Linguistics
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2019
Presents theories of language change. Discusses mechanisms of language change, its trajectories over linguistic categories and items and its relation to theories of grammar and of language variation. Recommended prerequisites: LING 5410 and LING 5420 and LING 5570.
