Language in London: An Introduction to Sociolinguistics

About

This module introduces participants to the key ideas in the study of language in society, with a focus on sociolinguistic phenomena which are observable in London.

The module takes a survey approach, ensuring that the breadth of sociolinguistic scholarship is explored.

The module is research driven and you will be exposed to the range of methodologies used in the discipline. You will have the chance to carry out a project on dialectology and language attitudes within class sessions, and you will also take a field trip to photograph the linguistic landscape in Brick Lane, Chinatown and Camden.

The module is assessed by two equally weighted assignments: a poster presentation of a project design and a two-hour in-class examination.

Week one
Introducing Language and Society
Dialectology and regional variation
Language and gender
Language and ethnicity

Week two
Multilingualism and language in contact
Introducing Multicultural London English
Field work experience: London’s Linguistic Landscape

Week three
Language attitudes and linguistic discrimination
World English
Language in the digital age

Course leader

Dr Guyanne Wilson

Target group

This module aims to:

- Develop your ability to describe the relationship between language and society.
- Examine how gender, ethnicity, region and social class influence language use.
- Develop understanding of the nature of multilingualism in contemporary society.
- Explore different attitudes to language and language variation and reflect on your attitudes to this variation.
- Understand how sociolinguistic research is undertaken and develop your own research idea

Fee info