UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL AUTÓNOMA DE NICARAGUA, MANAGUA

CENTRO UNIVERSITARIO REGIONAL

UNAN- MANAGUA -CUR MATAGALPA

Course: Introduction to Linguistics Level: IV year Study Guide: 1

Class Facilitator: Dr. Julio César Roa Rocha
Date: August 16 and 30, 2025

Disciplinary core: Linguistics

Interdisciplinary theme: Creativity
Subject area: Linguistics

Topics: The nature of language

1.1. Language and its key properties

1.2. Language, dialect and, accent.
1.3. Origin and evolution of language
1.4. Englishes around the world
1.5. American English vs. British English

Learning objectives: By the end of this unit, students should be able to:

 identify and classify signs based on their exponent, referent, and meaning.
 recognize the concept of a code and create their own sign system.
 compare and contrast human language with animal communication systems.
 develop a positive attitude towards language and its role in human experience.

Competences to develop

General: Ability to solve problems individually and in teams, in different fields of

action and professional areas, through research.

Specific: Ability to apply didactic principles and theories in the design of strategies
and solutions to teaching problems of the English language.
Introduction
Today, we embark on a fascinating journey into the world that connects us all:
communication! We'll delve into the building blocks of how we share information and
ideas, from the everyday signs we encounter to the complex systems that make
language possible.

Activity 1: The “Alient Language” Activity.

Activity:

Divide the group into small teams.

Tell them they are "aliens" from different planets and need to create a simple
language (with a few words, gestures, and sounds) to communicate a basic message
(e.g., "We are friendly," "We need water," "Let's trade").

Give them 10-15 minutes to develop their "alien language" and practice their message.

Have each team present their language and try to convey their message to another
team.

Discussion:

What elements did you include in your language (sounds, gestures, symbols)?

Did you have any "rules" for your language? Why were rules important?

What made it easy or difficult to understand other "alien" languages?

How is this similar to/different from human languages? (Introduce concepts like
grammar, vocabulary, shared understanding).

"Based on everything we've talked about and what you

experienced with your alien language, how would you define
'language' in your own words?"
Activity 2: As you move through your day, whether you're walking on the sidewalk
or riding in a car, you constantly encounter visual symbols like street signs and road
markings. Take a moment to think: What do these symbols communicate to you,
and why are they so important?

In groups of 4, discuss and answer the following questions to understand the

sign's message and ensure a safe and smooth journey:

1. What does the sign look like? Describe the physical form of the sign,
including its shape, color(s), and any symbols or images it contains.
(Sight)
2. What situation does the sign warn you about? What potential
danger or hazard does the sign represent? (Referent)
3. What action should drivers take when they see this sign? Explain
the message the sign is trying to convey. (Meaning)
4. Is this sign symbolic, iconic, or symptomatic? Explain your
reasoning.
1. Symbolic signs have an arbitrary relationship between their form
and meaning (e.g., a red octagon typically means "stop").
2. Iconic signs resemble what they represent (e.g., a picture of a
deer on the road).
3. Symptomatic signs indicate a condition or event directly (e.g.,
smoke means fire).

"Based on everything we've talked about visual symbols, how

would you define 'language' in your own words?"
Activity 3: Find out about the waggle dance using Google. Here are some
key aspects to investigate:

1. How do bees use their bodies to convey information?

2. What does the direction and duration of the dance signify?
3. Can bees communicate more than just the location of food?
4. How is the waggle dance similar to and different from human
communication?

Group Presentations (10 minutes each): Each group will choose a specific
topic and prepare a concise presentation highlighting the key findings for that
section.

1. Language, dialect and, accent.

2. Origin and evolution of language
3. Englishes around the world
4. American English vs. British English

Active Listening & Note-taking: While a group presents, the rest of the
class will actively listen and capture key information using a designated note-
taking format.

Group Activity Notes

Topic: ___________________________

Group #: ________

Summary of main points:

One question for the group:

 Linguistics Group Oral Presentation Rubric

Topic: ______________________Group #: ___ Presentation Date: ______

1 Point (Needs
2 Points 3 Points 4 Points 5 Points
Criteria Significant
(Developing) (Competent) (Strong) (Outstanding)
Improvement)
Information is
Some Presents Presents highly
largely Presents
inaccuracies or accurate and accurate, insightful,
inaccurate, generally
limited depth; relevant and relevant
irrelevant, or accurate
basic information, information,
minimal; information with
Content & Accuracy understanding demonstrating a demonstrating a
demonstrates a fair
of core good grasp of sophisticated
little understanding of
linguistic complex understanding of
understanding of linguistic
concepts, but linguistic advanced linguistic
linguistic concepts.
gaps exist. concepts. concepts.
concepts.
Well-organized
Some structure Clear structure with clear Exceptionally well-
Presentation is
is present but with logical flow;transitions; organized, logical,
disorganized and
Organization & transitions are ideas are mostly ideas are and fluid; ideas are
difficult to
Clarity unclear; ideas well-organized presented presented with
follow; no clear
are sometimes and coherently and remarkable clarity
structure or flow.
muddled. understandable. are easy to and precision.
follow.
Maintains
consistent eye
Limited eye contact; speaks
Makes clearly, Captivates the
Presenters read contact;
reasonable eye confidently, and audience with
directly, lack eye delivery is
contact; speaks expressively; dynamic eye
contact, speak mostly
audibly and at an effectively contact, clear,
Engagement & inaudibly or too monotone or
appropriate pace; engages the articulate, and
Delivery quickly/slowly; rushed; some
shows some audience with passionate delivery;
no attempt to engagement
enthusiasm and enthusiasm. exceptional ability
engage the attempts, but
attempts to to engage and
audience. generally
engage. inspire.
unconvincing.

Seamless and
Some evidence Clear evidence
Appears as Shows fair highly effective
of collaboration of effective
individual reports collaboration; collaboration; all
but uneven collaboration;
rather than a participation is members
participation; all members
Group Collaboration cohesive group generally demonstrate
transitions contribute
effort; significant balanced; exceptional
between meaningfully
imbalance in transitions are teamwork and
speakers are and transitions
participation. acceptable. support each other's
awkward. are smooth.
contributions.
Noticeably
Manages time Perfectly manages
Significantly under (5-7 Adheres
effectively, time, concluding
under (<5 mins) mins) or over reasonably to the
completing the precisely within the
5. Time Management or over (>12 (10-12 mins) time limit (8-10
presentation 10-minute
(Max 10 mins) mins) the time the time limit, mins) with minor
clearly within maximum while
limit, indicating impacting adjustments
the 9-10 minute delivering all
poor planning. content needed.
range. content.
delivery.