Course

Course 7.5 credits • LINN18

This course takes you out of the classroom and into the field, where you’ll learn how to collect, analyse, and understand language data first-hand.

This course introduces you to the full process of linguistic fieldwork—from choosing a research topic to collecting and analysing data. You’ll explore different methods for gathering language information and learn how to decide which approach works best for your research goals.

You’ll also gain practical experience by planning and carrying out your own small-scale fieldwork project. Along the way, you’ll learn how to handle data responsibly and ethically, especially in hands-on work with people and communities.

The course deals with one of the most multifaceted aspects of linguistic research: the uncovering of new language data by means of linguistic fieldwork. It gives an introduction to (1) purposes and aims of linguistic fieldwork, e.g. hypothesis-testing, linguistic description, language documentation; (2) methodologies and data types involved, e.g. conventional elicitation, stimulus-based elicitation and tasks, experimental tasks, observational data, as well as the techniques and tools of recording, annotating and storing field data; (3) practical and ethical aspects of conducting research in a community different from one’s own. The course is practically oriented and taught by experienced field linguists.

Choose Semester:

Programme affiliation: May be part of Master's Programme in Language and Linguistics

Study period: autumn semester 2025
Type of studies: part time, 50 %, day
Study period: 2025-11-03 – 2026-01-18
Language of instruction: English
Eligibility: 60 ECTS in linguistics or any language subject.

Application code: LU-E1055

Application code: LU-35751

Introductory meeting: Tuesday, 4 November at 10.15 – 12.00 in SOL:H405

Teachers: Niclas Burenhult

How to apply?

Application & admission at lu.se

Linguistics

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Fonetik

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