L431/653  "FIELD METHODS IN LINGUISTICS"

 

Class Meeting Days:               MW

Time:                                      9:35 AM —10:50 AM

Instructor:                               Professor Samuel G. Obeng

Department:                            Linguistics

Office:                                     BH 511

Office Hours:                          W — 12:30 PM To 1:30 PM @ BH 511

Enrollment:                             20

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Field Methods in Linguistics (Field Linguistics) is a means for obtaining linguistic data about languages unknown to the linguist. In this course, students will learn how to work with an informant to obtain a corpus of data. They will also learn how to organize and analyze the data. In particular, we will do a survey of techniques of data collection and analysis based on work with a native speaker of Ano — a language spoken in Cote d’Ivoire, West Africa). We will explore specific problems and issues in data collection, observing, recording and interpreting. Such issues will relate to aspects of core linguistics such as phonetics, phonology, prosodic morphology (specially verb and noun morphology), semantics, and syntax (e.g., word order parameters, NP, VPs, intensifiers, interjections, ideophones, focus marking, adjectival, adverbial and complementation phrases, as well as simple, complex and compound sentences). Students will investigate aspects of Ano on their own and share their findings with the class and also write short phonological and/or grammatical descriptions based on their findings. Students should have a good background in phonetics, phonology, morphology and syntax.

TO WHOM WILL THIS COURSE APPEAL

This course is intended for Linguistics Majors, students in the Languages Departments, Folklore, Anthropology, Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Sociology, and some in the Professional Schools (especially those in the School of Global and International Studies, School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering & the School of Education).

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The Course is designed in such a way that upon its completion students will be able, among other things, to:

1. Understand the concept of fieldwork
2. Understand Ethical Issues in working with human subjects
3. Be aware of various ways of planning fieldwork
4. Be familiar with techniques of data collection (including recording, determining what to record, how to record, notation-type, etc.)
5. Identify techniques of interpreting and analyzing data
6. Become aware of techniques for writing a grammatical sketch of a language
7. Become aware of techniques for compiling vocab/lexical items and for dictionary making
8. Understand ways of dealing with the interconnectedness between language, culture, and society while doing fieldwork
9. Be able to identify Ano vowels and discuss its vowel system and vowel characteristics (oral vs. nasal(ized), vowel length, vowel harmony, etc.)
10. Be able to identify Ano consonants, discuss its consonant types and consonant system, consonant mutation, etc.
11. Be able to describe and analyze Ano word morphology and morphophonology (including word structure, compounds, reduplicatives, etc.)
12. Be able to describe and analyze Ano syntax (phrase and sentence types)
13. Be able to describe and analyze aspects of Ano semantics and pragmatics
14. Be able to develop a 200 Ano wordlist with English glossary

Course Textbook(s)

Newman, Paul & Martha Ratliff (2001) Linguistic Fieldwork. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN-13: 978-0521669375; ISBN-10: 0521669375

Bouquiaux, Luc & Thomas, Jacqueline M.C. (1992) Studying and Describing Unwritten Languages.  The Summer Institute of Linguistics. ISBN-13: 978-0883128145; ISBN-10: 0883128144

Evaluation and Grading Structure

Evaluation

1. Two Written Assignments 50% of final grade
2. Class Attendance & Participation 10% of final grade
3. Final Project Paper 40% of final grade
4. Total = 100% 

Grading  Structure

Grades will be assigned on a proficiency basis, not on a curve.  Every effort is made to provide clear expectations and criteria for successful completion of assignments, so you are expected to do well and be successful.  There are no extra credit assignments.  The grading system is:

A+ 97-100%	B+ 87-89%	C+ 77-79%	D+ 67-69%
A    93-96%	B    83-86%	C    73-76%	D    63-66%
A-   90-92%	B-   80-82%	C-   70-72%	D- 60-62%
			F    Below 60%

COURSE POLICY

1. Assignments: All assignments must be neatly typed. One late assignment will be allowed for the semester; that late assignment must be submitted (turned in) on Canvas at or before the class meeting following the date for the assignment. Any other late assignment may be turned in for comments, but it will not count toward the final grade.
2. Incompletes:will be considered (by instructor) only on receipt of a written request from the student and only in compliance with university guidelines for use of Incompletes.
3. Final Language Profile:5:00 p.m., Monday, December 15. NO EXCEPTIONS. This will be worth 40%.
4. Attendance and Class Participation:“Attendance at this class is important because it is the best way to learn the material and it provides opportunities to engage with your peers around this topic. Students who attend class regularly typically outperform those who do not attend. In addition, I value hearing everyone’s voice in our discussions. You are permitted 2 absences per semester for any reason (these may be for job interviews, professional travel, medical, or family issues); these absences require no documentation. Any absences beyond 2 class sessions will result in a 2% reduction in your final course grade. You are responsible for content covered in class if you are absent. Please check with your classmates for information/notes. If you will be absent for a test or graded in-class assignment, please contact me at least 24 hours prior to the test/assignment, providing the reason for the absence to determine whether you will be permitted to make up the test/assignment. You are expected to submit assignments via Canvas, according to the class schedule, even if you are absent.

According to guidance from the Dean of Students, if you miss more than 20% of the semester (approximately 3 weeks) for medical or personal reasons, it may be best to consider withdrawing from all courses until you are able to return and focus on your academic goals.

If you are experiencing challenges with attendance, contact the Student Care and Resource Center (Indiana Memorial Union, lobby level next to Biddle Hotel Lobby); which can provide attendance memos in the event of hospitalization, or the death of an immediate family member.

 

If you need accommodations due to temporary impairments, including, but not limited to, broken bones, sprains, concussions, and appendicitis,” contact Accessible

Educational Services.”

 

Total Possible Attendance & Participation Points = 10% of final grade

5. Incompletes:Incompletes will be considered (by instructor) only on receipt of a written request from the student and only in compliance with university guidelines for use of Incompletes.
6. Assignment/Exam Retakes, Extra Credit: None
7. Course Changes: Students shall be responsible for all announcements and changes in the course program that are given in class, whether they attend the class in which the announcement is made or not.
8. Tardiness Policy: Students who arrive late to class distract both the instructor and other students from the lesson. As a courtesy to your fellow students and your instructor, please make every effort to attend class on time.
9. Religious Observances: “Instructors must reasonably accommodate students who want to observe their religious holidays at times when academic requirements conflict with those observances. If you will miss class for a religious observance, you must fill out the Request for Accommodation for Religious Observances form at least two weeks before your anticipated absence.”
10. Classroom Conduct: If you are creating a distraction in the classroom that will prevent other students from learning you may be asked to leave the classroom. The following in not an exhaustive list but should provide you with a general idea of what is not acceptable during this class hours.

-Listening to headphones

-Sleeping

-Reading or writing material that is not pertinent to class

-Talking

-Talking on cell phones (Please, turn off your cell phone when in class)

11. Guest Speakers: There are some days in which there will be guest speaker(s). These professionals are experts in their respective fields, and they welcome your questions. They are coming on their own time and are not reimbursed in any way for their efforts. As always, be courteous and attentive. You may be asked to discuss or write a paper about the information they presented.
12. Academic Integrity Statement: Indiana University is committed to academic integrity in all its practices. Intellectual integrity and a high standard of academic conduct are highly valued. Any behavior and/or activities that violate academic integrity undermine the quality and diminish the value of educational achievement this course is intended to achieve. As a result, cheating on quizzes, class assignments, midterm, and final examinations is a violation of Indiana University rules. Also, plagiarism as well as aiding and abetting with other students to gain an unfair advantage over other students (such as signing in another student for class when the student is absent) are viewed as an academic dishonesty and are construed as cheating.

"You should take some time to review the Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct (Code) because you are expected to adhere to its standards while you are a student at IU. Holding students to the standards outlined in the Code ensures the value of the degree that you are earning from IU and is important training for maintaining ethical standards in the work that you will do in the future. 

Academic misconduct is “any activity that tends to undermine the academic integrity of the institution” (Code, II, B,1). Academic integrity violations include cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, interference, violation of course rules, facilitating academic dishonesty, and research misconduct. When you submit an assignment with your name on it, you are signifying that the work contained therein is yours, unless otherwise cited or referenced. Any ideas or materials taken from another source must be fully acknowledged. Do not share your completed work with other students. If plagiarism or cheating occurs, all students involved will be considered responsible even if you were unaware that academic misconduct would occur. Ignorance of what constitutes academic misconduct is not a valid excuse. All suspected violations of the Code will be reported to the Dean of Students (Office of Student Conduct). Sanctions for academic misconduct in this course may include a failing grade on the assignment, a reduction in your final course grade, or a failing grade in the course, among other possibilities. If you are unsure about the expectations for completing an assignment or taking a test or exam in this course, speak with me before submitting your assignment”.

13. “Bias incident reporting

Bias-based incident reports can be made by students, faculty, and staff. Any act of discrimination or harassment based on race, ethnicity, religious affiliation, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability can be reported through any of the options: 1) fill out an online report at https://reportincident.iu.edu/ ; 2) call the Dean of Students Office at (812) 855-8187. Reports can be made anonymously at https://reportincident.iu.edu. Please note that incidents involving faculty and staff should be reported to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance.”

14. Course Accessibility

Indiana University is dedicated to ensuring that students with disabilities (e.g., chronic      

health, neurodevelopmental, neurological, sensory, psychological, and emotional, including mental health, etc.) have the support services and reasonable accessibility measures (accommodations) needed to provide equal access to academic programs. You must establish your eligibility for support services through Accessible Educational Services (AES). Note that services are confidential, may take time to put into place, and are not retroactive; citations and alternate media for print materials may take three or more weeks to produce. Contact Accessible Educational Services as soon as possible to register for services. The office is located on the basement floor of Eigenmann Hall in Room 001 and is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.”

15. Canvas Usage: a) Course Announcements: Check canvas for announcements and

changes to the schedule. (b) Canvas Grade Book: It is the responsibility of the student to check his or her grades within two weeks after the grades are posted. Any inquiry or dispute over the assignment/test scores or other points must be made within two weeks after the scores are posted. If you fail to protest any score during this time limit, changes to the posted score will not be made.

• Grades will be posted in Canvas Grade Book:
• Notes will be posted on Canvas as Modules. They may also be posted under “Files”
• Assignments will be submitted via Canvas

16. “Student Resources: Library Research Assistance: IU Libraries offers one-on-one 

     consultations with students who need assistance with library research.

      Student Advocates: Retired IU faculty and staff members assist students with resolving

     academic, financial, and conduct-related issues.

 

     Technology-related resources provided by the university include:

     Free on-campus wireless internet (WIFI) access through the “eduroam” network

     Free software for download and for cloud-based use (access the Software Downloads

     app in One.IU)

• Free 24/7 IU tech support (e.g., email, Canvas, WIFI, printing, device setup, etc.)
  • Chat: https://ithelplive.iu.edu/
  • Phone: 812-855-6789
  • Email: ithelp@iu.edu
  • Web form: Submit an IT support request
  • Online: Knowledge Base
• Free in-person tech support in the Wells Library

 

Tutoring Resources: There are many free and paid tutoring resources on campus that are available to students.

Writing Tutorial Services: Offers free one-on-one writing help from a trained tutor.”

 

17. Accommodations for Students: Every attempt will be made to accommodate qualified     

students with disabilities (e.g. mental health, learning, chronic health, physical, hearing, vision neurological, etc.) You must have established your eligibility for support services through the appropriate office that assists and/or services students with disabilities. Note that services are confidential, may take time to put into place and are not retroactive; Captions and alternate media for print materials may take three or more weeks to get produced. Please contact Disability Services for Students at

http://disabilityservices.indiana.edu or 812-855-7578 as soon as possible if accommodations are needed. 

The office is located on the third floor, West Tower, of the Wells Library, Room W302.  Walk-ins are welcome 8 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday.  You can also locate a variety of campus resources for students and visitors that need assistance at:  http://www.iu.edu/~ada/index.shtmlLinks to an external site."

18. “FERPA: The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law

that protects the privacy of your education records. You may authorize a third party to access your education record by adding a release at https://ferpareleases.indiana.edu. Adding a release for a specific individual will generate a PIN that is sent to the student’s IU email and will direct the student to share the PIN with the authorized third party.

 

19. Generative AI

    Option 1: No Generative AI use permitted. According to the Code of Student Rights,

   Responsibilities, and Conduct cheating is “using, providing, or attempting to use or   

   provide unauthorized assistance, materials, information, or study aids in any form.”  

  (Code, II: Responsibilities B,4,a). Cheating includes the use of artificial intelligence. 

  You must not use generative AI platforms such as ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, Dall-E, Grammarly, QuillBot, and SpinBot for any work for this class without permission of the instructor. Unauthorized use of generative AI in this course will constitute academic misconduct; there will be an academic sanction, and the incident will be reported.

 

20. Health and wellbeing

The Student Care and Resource Center supports students experiencing challenges that impact their ability to be safe, healthy, and successful. You can walk in, call, email, submit a Care Referral or make an appointment through the Student Appointment Scheduler to connect with the Care Team.

 

21. Student Care and Resource Center

Indiana Memorial Union, L010

Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Phone: 812-856-CARE (2273) // Email: iucare@iu.edu 

 

• Mental Health Support: If you or someone you know needs assistance, you are encouraged to contact Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at 812-855-5711 or by visiting their webpage. They will help you navigate any difficult circumstances you may be facing by connecting you with the appropriate resources or services.

 

Pregnancy: IU is dedicated to supporting students who are pregnant or have experienced other conditions related to pregnancy (termination of pregnancy, miscarriage, lactation, or related medical conditions). To register for accommodations due to pregnancy or a related medical condition, please contact Accessible Educational Services.

 

Counseling and Psychological Services: IU Student Health Center, Fourth Floor Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Phone: 812-855-5711 (choose option 1 after-hours)

TimelyCare: Free 24/7 virtual mental health support is available to students who are enrolled in at least one course through the TimelyCARE platform or through your Canvas portal. You do not need insurance to access TimelyCare services.”

22. Sexual Misconduct and Title IX:As your instructor, one of my responsibilities is to help create a safe learning environment on our campus. Title IX and our own Sexual Misconduct policy prohibit sexual misconduct. If you have experienced sexual misconduct, or know someone who has, the University can help. If you are seeking help and would like to speak to someone confidentially, you can make an appointment with:

The Sexual Assault Crisis Service (SACS) at 812-855-8900

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at 812-855-5711

Confidential Victim Advocates (CVA) at 812-856-2469

IU Health Center at 812-855-4011

For more information about available resources: 

http://stopsexualviolence.iu.eduLinks to an external site. /help/index.html

It is also important that you know that federal regulations and University policy require me to promptly convey any information about potential sexual misconduct known to me to our campus’ Deputy Title IX Coordinator or IU’s Title IX Coordinator.  In that event, they will work with a small number of other university personnel on campus to ensure that appropriate measures are taken, and resources are made available to the student who may have been harmed.  Protecting a student’s privacy is of utmost concern, and all involved will only share information with those that need to know to ensure the University can respond and assist.  I encourage you to visit stopsexualviolence.iu.edu to learn more.

23. Indiana Emergency Classroom Preparedness

Course Name:           L431/L653 “FIELD METHODS IN LINGUISTICS”

Room Number:         BH 240

Emergency Tit-bits

On the first day of every semester:

• Know the emergency exits and evacuation areas for every classroom.
• Devise "buddy systems" so that everyone is accounted for in an evacuation.
• Evaluate the challenges that you might face during an evacuation.
• Be personally prepared for an emergency: http://protect.iu.edu/emergencyLinks to an external site.

Emergency Communication

Campus emergency communication is done via a voice message, text and/or an email through IU Notify.  Go to One to review your contact information.  See more information about IU Notify at: http://protect.iu.edu/emergency/iunotifyLinks to an external site.

Faculty – designate IU Notify monitor for each class.  Self/Student

Fire

• When you see smoke or fire, immediately evacuate the building.
• If not already activated, pull the fire alarm switch to alert others of the situation.
• Use a fire extinguisher only if you know how to use it and the fire is small.

Evacuations – Drills or Real                                                        

• You may not know if this is a drill or not, so take every call to evacuate seriously.
• Take your personal belongings and immediately leave the building. 
• Know where the evacuation area is for every building you are in.
• Leave the campus only if instructed.

Earthquake

Should there be a severe enough earthquake to move furniture, DROP, COVER and HOLD ON: Immediately seek shelter (under a desk or table, if possible) cover your head and hold on.  Evacuate if directed, or you feel it is safe to do so.

Severe Weather

Thunderstorms are the most common type of severe weather in the Bloomington area.  However, winter storms, extreme hot/cold temperatures, flooding, and tornadoes can occur.

• Seek shelter indoors in a low(er) part of the building (Maps w/shelter locations are located throughout the building)
• Move to a windowless interior room away from hazardous materials
• Monitor http://iub.edu/Links to an external site.and local media
• Take cover under a sturdy object or against an interior wall
• Wait for the-all-clear before leaving your safe space

Violence/Active Shooter

There may be situations where it is imperative that you seek shelter and not leave the building: 

• RUN – if a safe path is available. Always try to escape or evacuate if possible.
• Call IUPD (812-855-4111) or 911 when it is safe to do so
• If evacuation is not possible, HIDE in a concealed location, Lock and/or barricade the door, turn off the lights, stay quiet and silence your cell phone
• FIGHT – as a last resort, working together or alone, act with aggression; use improvised weapons to disarm the shooter. Commit to taking the shooter down.
• See the video at http://protect.iu.edu/police/active-shooterLinks to an external site.

Additional course-specific safety information: For more information, ask your instructor, and go to http://protect.iu.eduLinks to an external site.  

 

 

TENTATIVE COURSE CALENDAR

(From Monday, August 25, 2025, to Friday, December 19, 2025)

Module 1—Week 1:     August 25 & August 27                                   

• Research with Human Subjects: Ethical Issues & IUB Regulations.
• Historical, Ethnographic & Linguistic Information about Ano.

 

Elicitation and Discussion

• Basic Introduction in the Language: Greetings and Leave-Taking

 

Module 2—Week 2:     September 1:  Labor Day No Classes

September 3           

• Techniques & Problems in Data Collection and Observation

 

Elicitation and Discussion

• Pronouns & Verbs
• External Human Anatomy (Body Parts)

 

Module 3—Week 3:     September 8 & 10

• Recording and Interpreting (Techniques & Problems)

 

Elicitation and Discussion

• Pronouns
• Internal Anatomy (Body Parts)

 

Module 4—Week 4:     September 15 & 17     

Elicitation and Discussion

• Names of Animals
• Common Verbs

 

Module 5—Week 5:     September 22 & 24

Elicitation and Discussion

• Ano Vocabulary
  • Names of Household items
  • Common & Other Verb Types
• Identify Vowel & Consonant System and Syllable Structure

 

Module 6—Week 6:     September 29 & October 1

Elicitation and Discussion

• Ano Vocabulary
  • Nouns: Number (singular and plural) and Noun Types
  • Numerals: cardinal, fractions, ordinal numbers
  • Kinship Nouns

 

Assignment 1: Due September 29, 2025.

Answer any ONE of the following questions

1. Discuss the vowel system and vowel harmony in Ano
2. What is consonant mutation? Discuss the phonology of consonant mutation in Ano.
3. What uncommon sounds have you noticed in Ano? Why do you see them as uncommon? What is unique about such uncommon sounds?
4. Discuss any assimilatory process(es) involved when Ano consonants occur in different structural positions/contexts?

 

Module 7—Week 7:     October 6 & 8

Elicitation and Discussion

• Noun Phrases: Nouns only or Nouns with Determiners, Adjectives, Quantifiers & Intensifiers, etc.
• Tone: Pitch, Tone & Intonation

 

Fall Break:   Thursday, October 9 – 13

Module 8—Week 8:     October 13 & 15

Elicitation and Discussion

• Verbal Extensions (Tense, Aspect and Mood)
• Conjunctions (Temporal, Additive, Adversative & Causal, etc.)
• Tone Continued (Pitch, Tone & Intonation)

 

                                                                       

Module 9—Week 9:     October 20 & 22

 Elicitation and Discussion

• Adverbs & Adverbial Phrases
• Adpositions & Adpositional Phrases

 

Module 10—Week 10: October 27 & 29

 Elicitation and Discussion

• Reduplication: morphophonological & syntactic structure(s) and their semantic-pragmatic import
• Compounding: morphophonological & syntactic structure(s) and their semantic-pragmatic import.

 

Module 11—Week 11: November 3 & 5

 Elicitation and Discussion

• Negation: Types and Structure
• Focus Marking: Types and Structure

 

Module 12—Week 12  November 10 & 12

 Elicitation and Discussion

• Sentence Types — Declarative, Interrogative, Imperative, etc.
• Coordination and Subordination
• Serial Verb Construction (SVC)

 

Assignment 2

Due November 12, 2025

Answer any one of the following questions.

1. Discuss the morphophonological characteristics of either Ano Compounds/Reduplicated forms. What functions do Compounds/Reduplicated forms perform in the language?
2. Discuss (with detailed exemplification) Ano Noun Phrase (NP) or Verb Phrase (VP) Structure.
3. With detailed examples from your fieldnotes and class elicitation notes, discuss Ano negation, tense and aspect.
4. Discuss (with detailed exemplification) Ano Adverb Phrase (Adv.Phr.) Structure.

 

Module 13—Week 13 November 17 & 19

 Elicitation and Discussion

• Adjectives & Adjective/Adjectival Phrase
• Intensifiers

 

Thanksgiving Break: Saturday, November 22; classes resume on Monday, December 1

 

Module 14—Week 15: December 1 & 3  

Elicitation and Discussion

Ideophones:      Their morphophonological & syntactic structure(s) and their semantic-pragmatic

import.

Interjections:     Their morphophonological & syntactic structure(s) and their semantic-pragmatic

import.

 

Week 16: December 8 & 10

Student Presentations: Each student gets up to 15 minutes to present his/her Final Language Project outline to faculty and colleagues/classmates for comments and suggestions.

 

Week 17                     Final Language Project paper

                                    Submit on Canvas December 15, 2025 (5:00 p.m.) No-Exceptions.