This course is designed for heritage speakers of Armenian. Although the class is currently named "Western Armenian", the class is open to the speakers of both Western and Eastern Armenian dialects. The analysis class, in particular, focuses on the languages of both official dialects.

The term "heritage speaker" is used within the foreign-language teaching field to refer to a person who is raised in a home where a language other than English is spoken, who speaks or understands that language, and who is to some degree bilingual in English and the home language. [Read more]

LIHL 133 is designed to enrich students' understanding and proficiency in the Western Armenian language, socio-cultural traditions and historical context. On a linguistic level, the course aims to provide students with skills to engage in everyday conversation with native speakers, read and understand short stories, and write brief letters. In considering the greater scope of Western Armenian culture, the course will explore Armenia's geography, historical scope, belief systems including a pagan past and the intricate relationship with the Armenian Orthodox Church. We'll explore cultural mainstays such as dance, food, poetry, literature and music. Heritage Western Armenian provides a socio-cultural survey while providing student's with a solid language base. Guest speakers and cultural immersion activities will round out the curriculum. The language analysis course, LIHL 133X, is set up a bit differently in that Eastern and Western Armenian speakers work on their respective dialects in class. The emphasis of this session is on understanding the linguistic patterns in Armenian and learn grammar skills relevant for communication, reading and writing. The course is taught in two complementary sessions: LIHL 133 meets on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and focuses on cultural and social issues, with emphasis on communication skills and vocabulary. LIHL 133X meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays and covers grammar and language analysis. The methodology used is based on the communicative approach and the material is presented in the context of cultural, social and literary topics. Hence, while the culture and communication session (LIHL 133) focuses on speaking and cultural skills, the language analysis course (LIHL 133x) consists of a combination of lectures and guided discovery procedures where students will be given the tools to discover the linguistic patterns in the Western and Eastern dialects of Armenian language.

Winter 2005 Class Websites

Culture and Communication Sessions
LIHL 133

Language Analysis Sessions
LIHL 133x

To Heritage Language Program