LFU:online

Participants will revise their knowledge of the pragmatic dimensions of language description and use, especially in regard to cross- and intercultural perspectives. Students will learn how to deal with specialized literature, theories and methods in the field.

Pragmatics, being the linguistic discipline which deals with the interplay between meaning and context, is not only based upon but also encompasses and rises beyond the (partly) describable linguistic level of semantics, dealing with lexical choices, speech acts as well as politeness in situation-specific language usage.  

Such aspects become particularly intriguing when we apply a pragmatic lense to intercultural scenarios, i.e. where speakers of different cultures and thus different cultural expectations, routines and norms communicate with each other. We are going to zoom in on such frames in which at least one of the interlocutors is not a native speaker of English: Even though they may be capable of communicating in English, they will still enter a conversation with distinct cultural presuppositions, which may turn out to lead to misunderstandings – often more so on the intercultural level than on a linguistic one.

Guided revision of theories, group readings, presentation of research progress, discussions of individual samples.

Students are required to attend regularly; presence at the first session, in particular, is mandatory. Other requirements for positive assessment are: language proficiency adequate to the study level, active participation in discussions, regular reporting on research progress, a 20-min presentation (with handout) and a written research paper (stylesheet for linguistics available on Institute’s website).

MA Teacher Training Programme: none

MA 2009: none

Teacher Training Programme "old" (2001): Positive completion of first part of studies (1. Studienabschnitt).

Due to substantial differences in the allocation of ECTS-Credits in various curricula (teacher training program - BA/MA English and American Studies), the requirements for this course vary. Information will be provided by the instructor at the beginning of the course.