Studying at York
Topics in Language Variation & Change - LAN00057M
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Spring Term 2022-23 |
Module aims
The module provides advanced students with an opportunity to go into depth in a number of discrete areas of language variation and change, building on prior knowledge of these areas, but also introducing new areas which are less well known. The focus is on language and dialect contact and speech community type. The module is intended to support students preparing dissertation proposals in Language Variation and Change.
Module learning outcomes
Students will develop an in-depth understanding of a number of sociolinguistic issues in language change
Students will be able to critically evaluate theories about social motivations for language change
Students will improve their ability to critically read and present research articles
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Module feedback
.
Indicative reading
Essential preliminary reading:
Kerswill, Paul (2004). Social dialectology/Sozialdialektologie. In Klaus Mattheier, Ulrich Ammon & Peter Trudgill (eds.) Sociolinguistics/Soziolinguistik. An international handbook of the science of language and society, 2nd edn., Vol 1. Berlin: De Gruyter. 22 33. [A introduction to Labovian sociolinguistic theory]
Background reading:
Tagliamonte, Sali (2011). Variationist sociolinguistics: Change, observation, interpretation. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell. Chapter 2 (pp. 25-65). [An overview of some of the areas covered.].
Recommended reading:
Chambers, J.K. (2003). Sociolinguistic Theory, 2nd edn. Oxford: Blackwell.Milroy, L. & Gordon, M. (2003). Sociolinguistics. Method and Interpretation. Oxford: Blackwell.
Labov, William (2007). Transmission and diffusion. Language 83: 344-387.