Types of theories of language change. Language families and subgroups. Internal and comparative reconstruction. The interpretation of historical records. Dialectology; sociolinguistic factors in language change and processes of grammaticization. Ramifications of observed changes for synchronic theories of language structure.

Prerequisites: Graduate standing.

4

Units

Optional

Grading

1, 2, 3

Passtime

Graduate students only

Level Limit

Letters and science

College
Marianne Mithun
3.9
12 reviews
Fall 2025 . Katsika A
GIRV 2110
M
11:00 AM - 12:15 PM
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LING 260 Mithun M Fall 2024 Total: 5
LING 260 Mithun M Spring 2020 Total: 7
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12
3.9
LING108 . 1 Year, 11 Months Ago

Professor Mithun is a wonderful teacher. She is so knowledgeable and caring. She offers a lot of extra credit and truly wants your to learn and succeed. Make sure you go to lecture, and try understand corrections to assignments in office hours or section. Definitely one of my favorite classes and professors.

0 helpful 0 unhelpful
LING134 . 2 Years Ago

A very chill class. No final, no midterm. Just a few assignments, readings and a final project. Dr. Mithun is very passionate about North American indigenous languages. The lectures are very intriguing and mind-blowing.

0 helpful 0 unhelpful
LING108 . 3 Years Ago

Prof Mithun is super enthusiastic about teaching, and she is very caring to students. You will get a very helpful response as long as you reach out. There is lots of homework every week but it is actually really fun, just like solving puzzles. The exams are not hard compared with her homework

0 helpful 0 unhelpful
LING108 . 10 Years Ago

Super enthusiastic, really helpful in all aspects. She is a super sweet lady that gets to know all her students.

0 helpful 0 unhelpful
LING108 . 10 Years Ago

Marianne is one of the best professors out there. She's challenging but is like an encyclopedia of linguistics knowledge. You can tell there are wheels turning in her head that are far above the level of the class, but she explains really well and is always happy to answer questions and provide examples. Difficult assignments, but I enjoyed them.

0 helpful 1 unhelpful
LING108 . 11 Years Ago

Marianne is amazing. Yeah, the material, homeworks and tests are challenging, but she's really helpful at office hours and will make sure you know the material well. Insanely smart, knows everything about every language on earth.

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See all 12 reviews
LING 271
4 / 5 Enrolled
Research Orientation
Stefan Gries 2.9
T
15:30 PM - 16:30 PM
LING 271
0 / 15 Closed
Research Orientation
Matt Gordon 4.4
T
15:30 PM - 16:45 PM
LING 272
16 / 42 Enrolled
Linguistics Colloquium
Marianne Mithun 3.9
R
15:30 PM - 17:20 PM
LING 288
6 / 15 Enrolled
Language Socialization
Hou L Y
M W
14:00 PM - 15:15 PM
100.0% A
LING 297
0 / 3 Closed
Graduate Studies
T B A
M W
12:30 PM - 13:45 PM
100.0% A
LING 297
0 / 3 Closed
Graduate Studies
T B A
M W
14:00 PM - 15:15 PM
100.0% A