Teaching and Learning Foreign Languages through the Knowledge on One's Own Native Tongue.

Ivo Janeček

Master's thesis

Abstract:

Práce má dva cíle: předložit čtenáři konečnou množinu typologických schémat společných všem doposud analyzovaným jazykům a ukázat na to jak tuto množinu využít -- tedy předložit obecný, rámcový způsob výuky, studia a zvládnutí určitých aspektů cizího jazyka prostřednictvím schemat získaných přirozenou cestou při studiu mateřského jazyka. Pro dosažení stanovených cílů se práce zabývá otázkami lingvistiky (více než 75 % obsahu ) a otázkami metodologickými (méně než 25% obsahu). Pracovním jazykem je angličtina, ale český jazyk a středo-aljašský jazyk Yupikština jsou rovněž použity pro potřeby srovnávání. V závěru práce autor vyslovuje hypotézu, že je možné vytvářet smyslné věty v jazycích téže rodiny jazyků pouze pomocí lexikonů.

Abstract:

This thesis has two goals: to put forward a finite set of typological schemes common to all languages, and to show how to possibly use it – to present a most fundamental way of teaching, learning and mastering certain aspects of a foreign language by making use of schemes received in learning one´s own native tongue. It also expresses a hypothesis of producing meaningful sentences in languages of the same family of languages with the help of lexicons only. In order to fulfil the goals, the thesis combines elements of linguistics (more then 75%, Ch. 2, 3) and methodology (less than 25%, Ch. 4, 5, 6). As will be explained, it is not to say, though, that one can gain the knowledge of all components of a language by making the best of the ideas, methods and conclusions of this thesis which tries to cover grammar and semantics in the first place. Working language of the thesis is English, but the Central Alaskan Yu´pik Eskimo, and even more so the Czech language will be used as well. That should support the pursuit of the goals of the thesis, by comparing those languages in the examples provided. Main research methods used may be characterized as analysis, deduction and induction accompanied by explanation and some aspects of prediction as two of four most fundamental tasks of the science on linguistics. The whole thesis consists of seven chapters: Chapter I provides introduction to the subject matter and gives it a general framework and a springboard for the following chapters. Chapter II briefly describes the contrast between surface realizations and underlying structures, it defines most fundamental concepts in syntax, too. Chapter III creates a solid organization of grammar necessary for reaching the goals of the thesis. Chapter IV puts forward a universal framework of methods associated with the goals of the thesis. Chapter V then builds on the previous chapter and presents a sample of possible and more detailed approach to mastering certain aspects of a foreign language exemplified on Czech–English comparative analysis of available data. Chapter VI highlights the gists of the philosophy of the thesis by detailed analysis, description and reference to specific case study examples applied on all three languages. Chapter VII summarizes the main points and wraps up the thesis.

Keywords

Dixon, underlying structures, teaching, syntactic functions, Basic Linguistic Theory, Dušková

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 9. 4. 2013

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 11. 6. 2013
• Supervisor: Mgr. Martin Němec, Ph.D.
• Reader: PhDr. Tamara Váňová

Masaryk University

Faculty of Education

Master programme / field:
Teacher Training for Primary and Lower Secondary Schools / Lower Secondary School and Language School Teacher Training in English Language