ALM4130

Language in society

(ART)

Mark Newbrook

12 points + Second semester + OCDL

Synopsis: The forms, functions and uses of language in societies around the world. Areas of study include variation in language (eg social, regional, local, gender-based, age-based), language varieties (eg standard languages, registers, pidgins, creoles), notions such as that of a speech community, language change, language and culture, the statuses of languages and varieties, language attitudes, the uses and functions of language(s). The course also discusses a range of methods and approaches to the study of language in society, eg sociolinguistics, sociology of language, ethnography.

Assessment: Essay (3000 words): 35% + Field project (4000 words): 40% + Open-book test (2 hours, 2000 words equivalent): 25%