This course explores popular myths about language and languages weaved together by linguists and non-linguists. They are myths concerning the nature of language (the essence of human language, the postulation of a language faculty, various accounts of universal language, assumptions about language acquisition), as well as myths taking root in the innumerable attempts at generalizing our differing, everchanging and irreconcilable linguistic behaviour (the concepts of separate ‘languages’, ‘sublanguages’ and also their ‘standards’, the intricate language-thought relationship, the proliferation of different terms to comprehend our multilingual reality – ‘linguistic identity’, ‘linguistic equality’, etc.).  

In outlining the aforementioned myths about language and languages, the course not only introduces students to a brief history of linguistic studies as a mythical discourse but also prompts them to contemplate their part in perpetuating and debunking the myths. Should we hone our language consciousness through acquiring more empirical evidence via sociolinguistic and psycholinguistic analyses, or by reflecting on our lay linguistic experience? It is hoped that by the end of the course, students will decide for themselves through developing a heightened awareness of our deep-rooted, mythical thinking about language(s) and of the values and functions (sociocultural, political, ideological, personal) of upholding it and demythologizing it.  

No prior knowledge or background in linguistics is required for partaking in this introductory course. 

 

This course is divided into two modules, each encompassing certain topics, as listed below:

Module I: Language in unity

What is language in general? Something we use to communicate (about non-linguistic things)? What is the relationship between language and languages? 

What is Universal Language? Or Universal Grammar? Does it make up our language faculty? 

Are humans the only ones ‘endowed’ with language? Do non-humans talk? Do they also (have) language? 
 

Module II: Language in diversity

Are languages real? In what way? Should we hold on to them? What are the consequences of understanding language in terms of languages? 

Does the language we speak shape the way we think? Is linguistic relativism/linguistic determinism real?  

What is the real multilingual picture? Can we be multilingual and equal? 

How do we (better) understand linguistic differences? Do we adopt different language styles, registers, or accents? Or do we each have our own idiolect? Do these differences arise from our identities? 

Or, does our language reality transcend language boundaries altogether? 

1. To introduce students to the variegated myths about language sponsored by both lay and non-lay linguistic practices.

2. To create an awareness of how entrenched our mythical thinking about language is in our daily lives and what values/purposes/functions it serves in our communication.

3. To encourage students to critically reflect on the practicality, immanence and prolonged impact of perpetuating myths about language as well as calling them into question.

By the end of the course, students are expected to:

1. have a basic understanding of the various myths about language and of how they came about and remain in our lay/non-lay linguistic practices.

2. be informed of the different attempts at bolstering and debunking the language myths (by lay and non-lay speakers alike) and have developed their own ways of evaluating these attempts.

3. be ready to reflect on the diverse programmes of activities enabled or catalysed by the perpetuation of the language myths and the disenchantment with them.

4. be able to formulate a case study based on what they have learnt and to deconstruct a linguistic discourse through a demythologizing lens.
 

The course consists of weekly and mandatory two-hour sessions, consisting mostly of lectures and in-class discussions. Two sessions will be reserved for in-class quizzes. There will be no tutorials. 

 

Short Written Reflection	20%
Project Presentation (group-based, individually-graded)	35%
End-of-term Quiz (open-book, in-class)	30%
Participation	15%

Primary texts will be extracted from works such as The Oxford Handbook of the History of Linguistics (Allan, 2013), The Language Myth (Harris, 1981), and Landmarks in Linguistic Thought (Joseph et al., 2001). Some journal articles and online materials will also be provided in due course. 

Weekly assigned readings can be downloaded from the course Moodle page and students are encouraged to look for additional materials via the HKU Library digital databases.