Introduction to Sociolinguistics - LAN00010C
- Department: Language and Linguistic Science
- Credit value: 20 credits
- Credit level: C
- Academic year of delivery: 2022-23
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Autumn Term 2022-23 to Summer Term 2022-23 |
Module aims
This module covers the basics of sociolinguistics, the subdiscipline of linguistics which deals with linguistic variability and the social use of language, as well as the relationship between these and language change. The aims of this module are:
to give you an awareness of the causes and parameters of variation in language, and the roles of variation in communication
to familiarise you with key concepts, terminology and theories in sociolinguistics, particularly those pertaining to linguistic variation and language change
to introduce the methodologies used to investigate variation
to give you experience in handling data collected from studies of language variation
to give you experience of the kinds of argumentation employed in interpreting empirical data
to allow you to explore how speakers use variation in their own speech to signal social identity, and how they evaluate other speakers identities through their perception of variation
to teach you something of the value of studying variation for the development of linguistic theory
Module learning outcomes
Knowledge outcomes
a general understanding of the causes and effects of linguistic variation and change
a general understanding of methodologies for studying variation and change
a general understanding of how variation is structured geographically, socially and through time, in English and other languages
a general understanding of how studying variation and change contributes to linguistic theory, and vice versa
an awareness of the ethical considerations involved in performing empirical work in the field
Behavioural outcomes
students will learn to identify variation in spontaneous speech
students will be able to identify internal and external constraints on variability
students will be able to handle data quantitatively
students will develop an ability to interpret statistics
students will be able to conduct small scale research on variation
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 40 |
| Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) | 60 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) | 100 |
Module feedback
Students will receive feedback in accordance with the University's Policy on Assessment Feedback Turnaround Time.
Indicative reading
Meyerhoff, Miriam. (2018). Introducing Sociolinguistics (3rd edition). London: Routledge.