Stephen van Vlack
Sookmyung Women`s University
Graduate School of TESOL
Introduction to Linguistics
Fall 2006
Summer Reading Project
For this summer reading project you are expected to read McWhorter (2003) in its entirety. This is a rather interesting text explaining the development and change of languages over time. It is not particularly theoretical but it does explain certain important aspects of language such as language change and how languages react to situations such as contact. As such it is seen as a helpful and interesting introduction to this course and to language itself.
After reading this small book I want you to write up a short summary of no more than 4 pages (A4, double spaced). Focus on the aspects of the book which are particularly meaningful to you. Basically I want you to explain in brief what kind of meaning you have gotten out of this summer reading text and this means focussing on limited aspects of the text.
This write-up is due the second week of class on September 21st.
Please feel free to bug me if you have any questions.....