Sociolinguistics

Description

Synopsis: This course introduces students to the field of sociolinguistics – the study of language in society. The course aims to raise students’ awareness of the many and complex ways that linguistic choices are associated with social and situational factors. The course surveys the history and approaches to sociolinguistics, and explores some of the major issues and debates in the field, including how language varies according to factors like gender, ethnicity, social class, and education, and how factors like power, inequality, and cultural difference shape human interaction and affect the social outcomes of different types of interaction. We will critically consider the notion of variation, examine the dynamics of language in macro-social settings and micro-interactional contexts, and explore the ways that the mutually constitutive relationship between language and society is mediated through language ideology and identity construction. Notes: This is an introductory course to sociolinguistics – the study of language in society. As such, the course can be interesting to students in anthropology, sociology, psychology, literature, linguistics, classic or modern foreign languages, philosophy, history, communication, and any student interested in gaining an informed understanding of how language, context, and society interact. While the course is introductory, an introductory course in language structure is required. Students should have taken an introductory Level 1 linguistics modules, e.g. ALE121. Students who have not completed one such module are required to consult with the Module Convener. Available to visiting and exchange students Syllabus: 1. Introduction to regional dialectology 2. Social dialectology: variation according to sex, age, socio-economic class 3. Language and place: place identity, authentication 4. Identity and dialect performance 5. Language variation and change; waves of variation 6. Language choice and multilingual language practices: code-switching, style-shifting, crossing, linguistic appropriation 7. Linguistic innovation, indexicality, enregisterment 8. Language and interaction (interactional sociolinguistics) 9. Interethnic communication 10. Situational variation: register Delivery: Seminars and lectures. Contact Hours: Seminars: 1x1hr, 1x2hr Learning Outcomes: On completion of the course, students will be able to: 1. demonstrate, in writing and discussion, familiarity with terminology, concepts, and research frameworks and paradigms that are important in sociolinguistics; 2. demonstrate a critical understanding of the way that language and social context (i.e., social and situational factors) interact; 3. collect language data and analyze it by applying relevant sociolinguistic theoretical and analytical frameworks; 4. interpret research findings, including tables and figures, from empirical research studies; 5. demonstrate an awareness of the relevance of sociolinguistics in real life situations, including educational and workplace contexts; Transferable Skills: 1. ability to critically read empirical studies; 2. informed understanding of the influence of social and contextual factors on language use; 3. ability to interpret tables and figures representing quantitative patterns; 4. ability to carry out small-scale data-based analyses involving data collection; 5. ability to write up reports of linguistic analyses following particular academic conventions; 6. ability to collaborate in group projects; 7. ability to locate relevant bibliographical sources using standard resources, indices, and databases. Assessment Method: Coursework 1, Coursework 2, Examination