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| Module Availability |
Spring 2 hours per week |
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| Assessment Pattern |
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Components of Assessment
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Method(s)
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Percentage Weighting
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3,000 word essay
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Coursework
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100%
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The essay will be marked according the following criteria and weightings:
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Criterion
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Weighting
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Idependence of thought
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30%
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Grasp of theoretical concepts, theories and framework
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30%
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Analytical rigour and coherence of arguments
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30%
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Presentation/Organization/Style (including referencing, use of secondary sources, bibliography)
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10%
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| Module Overview |
| In order to understand how human communication works we need to examine the variety of systems to be found, some of which differ drastically from what we know and what we might expect.
We examine the relationship between language, culture and cognition. We also explore these topics in relation to the international spread of English and English as a Lingua Franca.
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| Prerequisites/Co-requisites |
None |
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| Module Aims |
This module, which assumes no prior knowledge of languages other than English, introduces students to the diversity found in the world’s languages. We start by considering the defining properties of human language as opposed to other communicative systems. |
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| Learning Outcomes |
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
SUBJECT SPECIFIC SKILLS
- define human language in relation to other communicative systems
- classify languages using different means and identify their implications
- appreciate multilingualism and the functions of languages
- appreciate the role of English in relation to other languages and English as a Lingua Franca
- appreciate the diversity in linguistic categorization and the complexity of the relationship between language, cognition and culture
GENERAL
- The ability to formulate, defend and sustain arguments in both written and oral form on complex issues
- The ability to carry out independent research for essays on assigned topics
- The ability to differentiate methods for classifying languages
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| Module Content |
What is Language?
Human vs animal
Language vs dialect
Linguistic determinism and linguistic relativity
Space
Colour
Number
The role of English
World Englishes
English as a Lingua Franca
Multilingualism
As a normal state
Code-switching
Different languages for different purposes (religion, culture)
The World’s languages, their distribution and status
Genetic/Historical Classification
Areal Classification
Identification codes for languages
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| Methods of Teaching/Learning |
Total student learning time 150 hours.
Sessions will consist of a formal lecture on a topic for which the students will have completed an assigned reading in advance. A reader will be provided by the instructor. There will be the opportunity for group and whole class discussion. |
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| Selected Texts/Journals |
ESSENTIAL
Crystal, D. (1997) The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language. 2nd ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
RECOMMENDED
Berlin , B. & Kay P. (1999) Basic Color Terms: Their Universality and Evolution. Stanford, California : CSLI.
Comrie, B. (1985) Tense. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Comrie, B. (ed) (1989) The World's Major Languages. Reprinted with revisions and additions. London : Routledge.
Corbett, G. (1991) Gender. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Corbett, G. (2000) Number. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Edwards, J. (1994) Multilingualism. London : Routledge.
Jenkins, J. (2007) English as a Lingua Franca: Attitude and Identity. Oxford:
Oxford
University Press.
Jenkins, J. (2009) World Englishes. (2nd Edition)
London : Routledge.
Karmiloff, K. & Karmiloff-Smith, A. (2001) Pathways to Language: From Fetus to Adolescent. Harvard: Harvard University Press.
Levinson, S. (2003) Space in Language and Cognition. Cambridge
University Press.
Maynard-Smith, J. &. Dunbar , R.I.M. 59–76. (Proceedings of the British Academy 88.) Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Wakelin, M. F. (1977) English dialects: an Introduction. London : Athlone Press.
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| Last Updated |
1 September 2010 |
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