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Overview

Language is continually influenced by society – by the people who speak a given language and the ways in which they use it. This module introduces you to the field of sociolinguistics, the study of the effect of social factors on language. This includes dialectal variation, stylistic variation, differences in speech between speakers of different ages, genders, and other ways in which speech varies. There are also considerations of multilingual contexts and ways in which language can be purposefully affected by e.g. efforts to standardize. The focus of the module is on English, but other languages are also considered where relevant. In addition to learning the foundations of sociolinguistic study you will you also acquire transferrable skills such as teamwork, describing language data and appreciating different language cultures. There are two assignments in the module: a midterm report requiring you to answer questions on language variation, and a final test of the module contents. No previous background in linguistics or language study is required to take this module. (Note: the module QCB-1113 Iaith a Chymdeithas is available for Welsh-speaking students, which share lectures with this module.)

Students will learn about topics like: • Sociolinguistics as a field, and its relevant terminology • Sociolinguistic variability - how people use language in various different ways • Linguistic variables - what features of English grammar display variation in use? • Social variation - what aspects of a person's social background (including e.g. age, gender) influences their language use? • Regional variation - what dialectal variation is there in English (and other languages) and why? • Examples of sociolinguistic variation - students will learn about influential studies in the field and what researchers know about how English varies • The sociolinguistics of Welsh. How does the sociolinguistic situation of a minority Celtic language like Welsh differ to that of a global and majority language like English? (No prior knowledge of Welsh is required!)

Assessment Strategy

Threshold / D: Student has achieved the minimum acceptable standard of understanding and/or knowledge in all the learning outcomes. Student can demonstrate a minimum level of understanding of the basic concepts and be able to apply them to data with some degree of accuracy.

Good / B: Student has achieved a better-than-average standard of understanding and/or knowledge in all learning outcomes, and has a clear and accurate understanding of concepts; ability to apply concepts to data critically and thoughtfully; evidence of wide reading and clear and accurate reference to source materials; free from misunderstanding and errors of content; free from irrelevant material.

Excellent / A: Student has achieved a thorough standard of understanding and/or knowledge in all learning outcomes; or student has demonstrated an exceptional level of achievement in one or more learning outcomes together with a good overall standard: student has achieved a thorough understanding of the subject, both in terms of content and theory; student is able to apply concepts clearly and accurately; substantial evidence of critical and original thought and analysis; clear, logical argument; high level of communicative competence; free from irrelevant material and errors of spelling and punctuation; evidence of extensive reading beyond basic texts and clear and accurate references to source material.

Learning Outcomes

• Comment on language variability in English grammar at a foundational level.

• Describe and compare the use of English in different situations.

• Identify key points in sociolinguistic theory using appropriate terminology.

• Write explanations of sociolinguistic phenomena based on their understanding of language variation.