How Language Works

(Asynchronous)

ENGL 3371, Early Spring 2027

				Asynchronous

Get a hands-on look at the rules and patterns that govern language, revealing the secrets behind how we communicate, think, and connect.

Language touches every aspect of our lives. From reading the morning paper to decrypting secret codes, the subconscious knowledge of language is uniquely human. In this course we'll ask what it means to have a command of language—do animals have it? Infants?

What we'll cover:

  • The sounds of the world’s languages
  • How English builds new words
  • The role of language in society
  • Why languages don’t all share the same word order
  • Why linguists believe in a “universal grammar”

Want to know more?