This module explores the types of variation and change that languages display, and the relationship between language and social factors such as age, gender, class and ethnicity. It introduces methodologies for investigating variation and change, as well as theories of why variability occurs and how languages change.
Pre-requisite modules
Co-requisite modules
- None
Prohibited combinations
- None
Occurrence | Teaching period |
---|---|
A | Semester 2 2023-24 |
The specific aims of this module are:
to foster 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 describing 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
By the end of the module students should:
have fostered an awareness of the causes and parameters of variation in language, and the roles of variation in communication
have familiarised themselves with key concepts, terminology and theories in describing linguistic variation and language change
have knowledge of the methodologies used to investigate variation
have experience in handling data collected from studies of language variation
have experience of the kinds of argumentation employed in interpreting empirical data
The module will explore sources of linguistic variation and processes of language change. A variety of studies will be used to exemplify concepts and theories covered.
Task | % of module mark |
---|---|
Essay/coursework | 30 |
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) | 70 |
None
Task | % of module mark |
---|---|
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) | 100 |
Students will receive written feedback on their assessments within the Feedback Turnaround Time of 25 days.
Chambers, J.K. and Natalie Schilling (eds) (2013) The Handbook of Language Variation and Change (2nd ed.). Oxford: Blackwell.
Chambers, J.K. & Schilling, Natalie (eds) (2nd edition 2013) Handbook of Language Variation and Change. (Oxford: Blackwell)
Llamas, Carmen, Louise Mullany and Peter Stockwell (eds) (2007) The Routledge Companion to Sociolinguistics. London: Routledge.