CEUS U690 0732 Clark
Comparative Turkic Linguistics
This course provides a foundation in the methodology of comparative-historical linguistics and
applies that methodology to the Turkic language family. Issues covered are the definition of
Turkic, reconstruction of original Turkic, the relationship of Turkic to Mongol and other "Altaic"
language families, the classification of Turkic languages, and the periodization of linguistic
evidence. Students will learn basic concepts and facts about the practice of Turkology, the
formation of the older and modern Turkic languages, and the distribution and number of
Turkic peoples.
Prerequisites: Two semesters of a Turkic language or the instructor's permission. Students also
need the ability to read scholarship in Russian or German.
Examinations: Mid-term.
Assignments: Map, chart, linguistic problems.
Paper: Term paper on a Turkic language of the student's choice. Topic or problem subject to the
instructor's approval.
Reading: Readings will be assigned from the instructor's Guide to Turkology and The Altaic
Languages: An Introductory Bibliography.
Days and Time: Tuesday and Thursday, 4:00-5:15.