The course will start with an overview of the primary approaches used in cross-linguistic study and comparison of segmental and suprasegmental language patterns, including classical, distributional, canonical, and diachronic methods. We will address practical and conceptual challenges in conducting research in phonological typology, including issues inherent in common linguistic description practices (e.g., conflicting criteria for making analytical decisions, the mutual commensurability of general linguistic concepts across different works, varying approaches to ongoing sound changes in synchronic descriptions, and the interpretation of typologically rare cases), as well as challenges related to data coding (such as transcription practices). The course will then focus specifically on modern approaches to cross-linguistic studies of phoneme inventories, word prosody, and phonological wordhood, illustrated by several recent case studies.

Level: Introductory/slightly intermediate