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Game of Tongues: A Song of Linguistic Variation & Change - 40N0017

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  • Department: English and Related Literature
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Beck Sinar
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: I
  • Academic year of delivery: 2021-22
    • See module specification for other years: 2022-23

Module summary

This module is for students at the Norwegian Study Centre Only.

This module examines variation and change in English from Old English up to and including the present day.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Autumn Term 2021-22

Module aims

  1. Provide you with an overview of English at various stages of its development from the Old English period (c.900AD) to the present day.
  2. Develop your abilities in the linguistic analysis of historical texts. You will be required to read and analyse materials from earlier English for presentation and discussion in seminars.
  3. Equip you with the knowledge and skills to describe historical changes and produce critical accounts of the factors involved in these changes.
  4. Allow you to experience and develop key skills of IT, communication and learning how to learn.

Module learning outcomes

You will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of the history of English and language change to place Present Day English in its historical context.
  2. Interpret historical sources as evidence for earlier stages of the English language and for processes of language change, and understand the issues and problems in doing so.
  3. Demonstrate understanding of different types of language change and analyse the role of language internal and language external factors in these changes.
  4. Synthesise and evaluate primary and secondary sources to produce critical accounts of change in the history of English.

You will also have:

  1. Improved your abilities to read and write academic English.
  2. Learnt to find and use appropriate library and internet resources.
  3. Developed your independent learning and organisational skills, particularly through choosing your own essay topic.
  4. Have an ability to summarise and present findings in a useful way.

Module content

The module covers:

  1. The general sociolinguistic history of British English from Old English (c.900AD) to the present-day. It will include discussion of the impact of contact (e.g. Latin, Old Norse and French) and processes of standardisation including attitudes towards different varieties of English.
  2. The analysis of the historical development of a few historically central, specific areas of phonology, morphology and syntax.

Indicative assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Game of Tongues: A Song of Linguistic Variation and Change		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

None

Module feedback

Formative: During the teaching period, you will write a draft version of your essay upon which you will receive written comments within 2 weeks of submission. You will also have a one-to-one tutorial with their tutor regarding their feedback. The purpose of feedback is to inform your future work; it is provided in a pedagogical spirit, and the NSC also offers you help in learning from your feedback.

You will receive written feedback on summative assessments within twenty working days of submission.

Indicative reading

Some key texts include:

  • Barber, C. L. (2000) The English Language: a Historical Introduction. Cambridge : Cambridge University
  • Crystal, David. (2004) The Stories of English. London: Penguin.

Additionally a course pack should be purchased on arrival at the NSC, which contains the essential readings for the course.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.