LFU:online

Students learn to describe and discuss the social level of language(s) and its effect on the language-experiencing subject. Central sociolinguistic parameters as well as methods of multilingualism research are taught and applied in a final paper. 

Language is diversity. Societies are multilingual and so are the people who live in them. The central issue, however, is how societies deal with this diversity: Is multilingualism perceived as a resource or as a obstacle? Is there differentiation - are different languages or ways of speaking valued differently, for example? Is there such a thing as good or bad language? And what does all this imply for the individual?
When speakers become aware of this social dimension of their own linguistic repertoire, language is experienced. In this course, we will explore the social contexts that can affect speakers when they experience language. These will be related to the role that educational institutions are given in such processes.

Lecture by instructor, group/partner work, preparatory reading and discussion of scientific texts, short presentations of the own thesis concept by students;

Short presentation, active participation (active contribution in the lecture and knowledge of the text), written proseminar paper (approx. 12 pages); 

Busch, Brigitta (2013): Mehrsprachigkeit. Wien: Facultas.

Additional literature will be announced and discussed during the course.

Mandatory module 1 completed successfully