LFU:online

This course aims at providing an overview of the central issues and terminology in sociolinguistics as well as their application in sociolinguistic research.

In very general terms, sociolinguistics is concerned with the relationship between language and society. This course will therefore encompass questions about why people use different forms of language in different social contexts and which social functions language fulfils. In order to find answers to these questions, we are going to discuss the central topic of linguistic variation before moving on to identify relevant social factors at work in language variation. These, to name only a few, include social class, gender, multilingualism, language contact, language attitudes and ideology. To add a diachronic dimension, we are also going to briefly touch upon issues of historical sociolinguistics.

Lecture inputs, student presentations, discussions, work-shops

Regular attendance (presence at the first session is mandatory), active participation (discussions, exercises), oral presentation, short (reading and writing) assignments, term paper, written test.

Meyerhoff, Miriam. 2011. Introducing Sociolinguistics. (2nd edition). London, New York: Routledge.

BA Programme: none

Teacher Training Programme: VO1: Introduction to English Synchronic Linguistics + VO1: Introduction to the History of English

Teacher Training Programme: (344): PS 2: Linguistics and Culture