Contrasting English and German - Einzelansicht

When Contrastive Linguistics originally emerged as a linguistic discipline, investigations into the differences (and, indirectly, similarities and shared features) between language pairs were carried out so as to identify those aspects likely to cause problems in foreign language learning. Since then, CL has distanced itself from the lofty claim of being able to predict such learning difficulties; still, results of contrastive analyses have implications for both linguistic investigation as well as applied linguistics.

After discussing Contrastive Linguistics as a discipline, this seminar will focus on the comparison of English and German. Building on the Introduction to Synchronic Linguistics, we will focus on selected aspects of language structure. Analogous to the view that CL may be counted as a discipline of both Theoretical and Applied Linguistics, we will not only identify relevant similarities and contrasts theoretically, but also consider how the results of contrastive studies may be practically applied outside of the university setting.

Hawkins, John A. (1986). A Comparative Typology of English and German. Unifying the Contrasts. London (etc.): Croom Helm.

König, Ekkehard (2012). Contrastive linguistics and language comparison. In: Languages in Contrast 12, 3-26.

König, Ekkehard & Gast, Volker (³2012). Understanding English-German Contrasts. Berlin: Erich Schmidt Verlag.

Tekin, Özlem (2012). Grundlagen der Kontrastiven Linguistik in Theorie und Praxis. Tübingen: Stauffenburg Verlag.

Theisen, Joachim (2016). Kontrastive Linguistik: Eine Einführung. Tübingen: Narr.

Please be aware that you must have successfully completed the Grundmodul Linguistik to be able to attend this class. Furthermore, due to the nature of the topic, advanced knowledge of German is highly recommended.

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