239765 English Prepositions (S) (WiSe 2012/2013)

This class will give students the opportunity to explore one of the most interesting and relatively least studied parts of English grammar, the preposition. This part of speech is most often counted among the sets of function words, but sometimes it is regarded as one of the classes of lexical words. And, furthermore, there is an intermediate position which regards some prepositions as function words and some as lexical words. We will try to explore these different approaches and in this way gain an insight into this puzzling word class. Part of our work will involve defining prepositions, specifically in contrast to adverbs and conjunctions, but also with regard to their more general properties.
In addition, the seminar is intended to give students the opportunity to practice their understanding and use of prepositions in English, which are clearly one of the most complicated aspects of English, especially for foreign learners. The approach will be oriented along the lines of the kinds of mistakes which German speakers typically make, and the work of the seminar will involve doing and discussing exercises in which difficult contrasts (both within English itself and between German and English) are involved. This could have to do with the differences such as between members of the trio "at-in-on" or the correspondence between German "von" and English "of-from."
In order to examine the way prepositions are used on a more empirical basis the participants are expected (individually or in small groups) to test the one or the other prepositional contrast by assembling a restricted corpus.

Requirements for participation, required level

BaAngBM2 must be completed.

Bibliography

A reserved reading shelf will be supplied.