PP3LANG-Philosophy of Language: Animals, Babies, Colours, and Language Death

Module Provider: Philosophy
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Mr Harry Tappenden
Email: h.tappenden@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Philosophy of language concerns the nature of meaning, language, and communication. It seeks answers to the following questions: Are human beings the only animals who communicate with language? What kinds of mental capacities do babies need to acquire language? How do languages develop and change over time? What is the significance of the fact that languages have different color terms?  What happens when a language dies? Is preventing language death valuable? Can languages go into decline? In particular, is English getting worse over time? How does the development of writing affect the way we use language? What makes some uses of language “correct” and other uses “incorrect”? What is the significance of the fact that some languages don’t have a word for the color “blue”?  Why do we so easily draw conclusions about people who have certain kinds of accents? Why is it so hard to program computers to have natural-sounding human conversations?

Addressing these questions will require an examination of foundational texts in philosophy, linguistics, psychology and anthropology from the 19th, 20th centuries, as well as cutting-edge research informed by developments in the cognitive sciences.

Aims:

To explore fundamental issues in philosophy of language, including the nature of meaning, understanding, and the relation of language to culture and thought.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of this module, students will be able to give an overview of core approaches to problems in the philosophy of language and critically evaluate them.  

Students' presentation skills will be improved by leading seminar discussion on central topics in the module.

Additional outcomes:

Students will gain an overview of one of the central topics in analytic philosophy, and will be able to relate the content of this module other topics studied in their philosophy degree (e.g. philosophy of mind, metaphysics, ethics, and politics). The module will raise questions about fundamental assumptions concerning language and students will be encouraged to explore both classic texts and contemporary research in attempting to answer these questions. Students will develop the ability to understand and explain complex ideas, and hone their analytical writing and critical thinking skills.

Outline content:

Homework

An essay or book chapter will be assigned as required reading for each week. It is essential that you read the assigned text prior to class, because the format of the class will be primarily discussion-based.

The text will come accompanied by discussion questions, which are intended to guide your reflection on the author’s ideas and help you prepare for class discussion.

Original texts

You don’t need to buy a textbook for this module. I will post electronic copies of all the required readings to Blackboard.

Secondary literature

In addition to the original articles and book chapters discussed in class, you may benefit from reading introductory texts in philosophy of language. A particularly readable introduction is the following:

William Lycan, Philosophy of Language: A Contemporary Introduction, 2nd edition. Routledge

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The format for this module contains lectures and seminars; however the distinction between lecture and seminar is blurred. Students should be active in all classes, asking questions and trying to answer the questions posed by the lecturer and other students.

In addition, students will be expected to do the weekly readings and respond to discussion questions.

Reading and homework

Homework

An essay or book chapter will be assigned as required reading for each week. It is essential that you read the assigned text prior to class, because the format of the class will be primarily discussion-based.

The text will come accompanied by discussion questions, which are intended to guide your reflection on the author’s ideas and help you prepare for class discussion.

Original texts

You don’t need to buy a textbook for this module. I will post electronic copies of all the required readings to Blackboard.

Secondary literature

In addition to the original articles and book chapters discussed in class, you may benefit from reading introductory texts in philosophy of language. A particularly readable introduction is the following:

William Lycan, Philosophy of Language: A Contemporary Introduction, 2nd edition. Routledge