Learning outcomes

Acquire the basic principles of a theoretical approach to languages.
 
Understand the basic principles of human language development and production/perception.
 
Identify, analyse and acquire the basic structures of the Dutch language.
 
Support the acquisitional process of Dutch.
 
Master the normative grammar of Dutch.

Goals

To familiarise students with a theoretical study of the Dutch language and the main principles underlying the linguistic analysis of a language in general.
 
To support the acquisitional process of Dutch, in order to reach at the end of the course a level of B2 in receptive skills and B1+ in productive skills (according to the CEFR*) expected for the Dutch language mastery course (LNRL B103). 
 
 
Language prerequisite: B1 level, in accordance with the reference frameworks for modern language skills in general secondary education (4h/week). However, we will support students who do not have this level in their efforts to achieve it.
 

Content

This course is in four parts.
 
1° a general introduction to Dutch
2° a general introduction to the study of language(s), which attempts to answer the following questions: What is human language? How do we acquire one or more languages? Why is it interesting to analyse language(s) theoretically? What are the main domains in the field of linguistics?
 
3° an introduction to the phonology of Dutch
 
4° an introduction to the study of Dutch sentence structure and its particularities.
 
The course is originally based on the book by Bennis (2000), Syntaxis van het Nederlands. Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press, which deals with the study of language and, more specifically, Dutch syntax. This enables students to assimilate the basic principles and general terminology of this type of linguistic approach and to develop skills that are transferable to other courses and other locations. The course also encourages students to think critically about the structure of language (Dutch in particular) and how it works.
 
At the same time, the basic normative grammar of Dutch is systematically covered (with an accelerated review of the basics) during the exercises. This learning will be continued in LNRLB201. 
 
Participation in any activity organised by the department within or outside the classroom as part of this course is an integral part of the course and is therefore considered compulsory.
 
This course is given in Dutch in the second semester.

Exercices

see "course content"

Assessment method

Written examination (linguistics 70% of the final mark and normative grammar 30%).
 
At the January session, a dispensatory partial exam (at 10/20) is organised for the "normative grammar" part only.

Sources, references and any support material

Florijn, A., Lalleman, J. & H. Maureau (2017). De regels van het Nederlands. Grammatica voor anderstaligen + werkboek. Amsterdam: VU University Press.

Language of instruction

Français