Studying at York
Game of Tongues: A Song of Linguistic Variation & Change - ENG00106M
Module summary
This module is for Norwegian Study Centre Postgraduate Students only.
This postgraduate module covers aspects of variation and change in the English language from Old English up to and including the Present Day. The main focus is on English in England and giving you an opportunity to investigate language in its social and cultural contexts.
You will examine theoretical and analytical frameworks that explore issues of language variation, language contact, language and identity; analyse the role of language in social relationships and practices; and look at how linguistic theory can be applied to the analysis of literature and culture.
The programme equips you with high-level research skills that you can apply in your essay writing, which allows you to address an issue of particular interest with the knowledge you have gathered throughout the course.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Autumn Term 2022-23 |
Module aims
- Provide you with an overview of English at various stages of its development from the Old English period (c.900AD) tup to and including the present day.
- 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.
- Equip you with the knowledge and skills to describe historical changes and produce critical accounts of the factors involved in these changes.
- Allow you to experience and develop key skills of IT, communication and learning how to learn.
Module learning outcomes
You will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the history of English and language change to place Present Day English in its historical context.
- 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.
- Demonstrate understanding of different types of language change and analyse the role of language internal and language external factors in these changes.
- Synthesise and evaluate primary and secondary sources to produce critical accounts of change in the history of English.
- Understand the challenges posed in carrying out a substantial piece of independent research.
- Demonstrate familiarity with and the use of a range of research methods and tools (for example, library and archival catalogues and online databases).
- Demonstrate the ability to present extended and complex arguments in writing.
- Develop the academic, personal and professional skills required to equip you to undertake your MA dissertation in Norway and to afterwards carry on to PhD research or make immediate impact upon employment in a relevant field such as teaching.
Module content
The module covers:
- The general sociolinguistic history of British English from Old English (c.900AD) up to and including 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.
- 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 Essay 5000 words |
N/A | 100 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
| Task | Length | % of module mark |
|---|---|---|
| Essay/coursework Essay 5000 words |
N/A | 100 |
Module feedback
Formative: During the teaching period, you will be required to submit detailed essay plan, two part drafts and a full draft of your essay to the module convenor for feedback. You will receive written comments on each of these within 2 weeks of submission. Further feedback will be provided during five one-to-one tutorials which will be evenly spaced throughout the semester. These are designed to help you with the skills needed to successfully conduct individual and original MA-level work/research.
Summative: You will receive written feedback on your summative assessment within 20 working days of submission. This is normally sent via email. You are welcome to discuss this written feedback with the module convenor, your pastoral supervisor, the YorkCourse Co-ordinator and/or the NSC Director.
Indicative reading
Any general history of English textbook will provide the necessary background, such as:
Gramley, S (2012) The History of English. London: Routledge.
Lerer, S (2007) Inventing English. New York: Columbia University Press.
Mugglestone, L (ed.) (2006) The Oxford History of English. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
As an MA student you are also expected to consider more specialised works such as:
Dixon, J & B Mahoney (2004) ‘The effect of accent evaluation and evidence on a suspect’s perceived guilt and criminality’ The journal of Social Psychology 144 (1) pp. 63-73.
Giles, H., M. Hewstone, E. Ryan & P. Johnson (1987) ‘Research on language attitudes’. In H. Ammon, N. Dittmar, & K. J. Mattheier (eds.) Sociolinguistics: An international handbook of the science of language and society vol 1. New York: Walter de Gruyter pp 585-597.
Hogg, R (1992, ed) The Cambridge History of the English Language. Volume 1: The beginnings to 1066. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Milroy, J and L. Milroy (1991) Authority in Language: Investigating Language Prescription and Standardisation. London: Routledge.
Ryan, E.B. and H Giles (eds) (1982) Attitudes towards Language. Social and Applied contexts. London: Edward Arnold Publishers.
Townend, M (2006) ‘Contacts and Conflicts: Latin, Norse and French’ in Mugglestone, L (ed.) (2006) The Oxford History of English. Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp 61-85.
You will be required to research the topic of your essay for yourself using a mix of up-to-date textbooks, specialised books and journals. You will receive training in finding and using academic resources in the weekly separate compulsory research training seminars.