LG532-7-AU-CO:
Sociolinguistic Theory
2024/25
Language and Linguistics
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Thursday 03 October 2024
Friday 13 December 2024
15
11 April 2022
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
MRESQ14512 Analysing Language Use
This module provides an overview of variationist sociolinguistic theory and findings, which focus on exploring social and linguistic constraints on variation in addition to addressing contemporary variationist theoretical challenges.
The module will introduce various approaches to theorising, analysing and interpreting sociolinguistic data vis-à-vis language variation and change (LVC) and social identity.
In this module you will gain an understanding of:
• the principles underlying the variationist perspective of language variation and change with an emphasis on external social and internal linguistic factors which mediate variation and change
• the ways in which linguistic theory intersects with, and is complemented by sociolinguistic data and theorising
• the main research questions, concepts, premises and data foci within variationist LVC research
One 2hr lecture/discussion per week for 10 weeks
- Labov, William. (c1972) 'The Social Stratification of (r) in New York City Department Stores', in Sociolinguistic patterns, Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press. vol. Conduct and communication, pp.43-69
- Labov, William. (1994) 'The study of change in progress: Observations in real time', in Principles of linguistic change, vol. 1: Internal Factors, Oxford: Blackwell. vol. Language in society, pp.73-84
- Meyerhoff, Miriam. (2019) 'Social networks and communities of practice. Chapter 9', in Introducing sociolinguistics, Abingdon: Routledge.
- Eckert, Penelope. (1997) 'Age as a sociolinguistic variable', in The handbook of sociolinguistics, Oxford: Blackwell. vol. Blackwell handbooks in linguistics
- Chambers. (c2003) 'Class, Network & Mobility', in Sociolinguistic theory: linguistic variation and its social significance, Oxford: Blackwell. vol. Language in society, pp.39-92
- Bayley, Robert. (2002) 'The quantitative paradigm', in The handbook of language variation and change, Malden, Mass: Blackwell Publishers. vol. Blackwell handbooks in linguistics, pp.117-141
- Ash, S. (2002) 'Social Class', in The handbook of language variation and change, Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishers. vol. Blackwell handbooks in linguistics, pp.402-422
- Patrick, Peter. (2002) 'The Speech Community', in The handbook of language variation and change, Malden, Mass: Blackwell Publishers., pp.573-597
- Sankoff, Gillian. (c2004) 'Adolescents, young adults and the critical period: two case studies from "Seven Up"', in Sociolinguistic variation: critical reflections, Oxford: Oxford University Press. vol. Oxford studies in sociolinguistics, pp.121-139
- Bailey, Guy. (2013) 'Real and apparent time', in The handbook of language variation and change, Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell. vol. Blackwell handbooks in linguistics, pp.239-262
- Penelope Eckert and Sally McConnell-Ginet. (1992) 'Think Practically and Look Locally: Language and Gender as Community- Based Practice', in Annual Review of Anthropology: Annual ReviewsAnnual Reviews. vol. 21, pp.461-490
- Cheshire, Jenny. (2002) 'Sex and gender in variationist research', in The handbook of language variation and change, Malden, Mass: Blackwell Publishers. vol. Blackwell handbooks in linguistics
- Allan Bell. (1984) 'Language Style as Audience Design', in Language in Society: Cambridge University PressCambridge University Press. vol. 13 (2) , pp.145-204
- Sharma, Devyani. (2011-09) 'Style repertoire and social change in British Asian English', in Journal of Sociolinguistics. vol. 15 (4) , pp.464-492
- Watt, D. (2007) 'Variation and the variable', in The Routledge companion to sociolinguistics, London: Routledge., pp.3-11
- Wagner, Suzanne Evans. (2012-06) 'Age Grading in Sociolinguistic Theory', in Language and Linguistics Compass. vol. 6 (6) , pp.371-382
- Chambers, JK. (1995) 'Expressing Sex and Gender', in Sociolinguistic theory: linguistic variation and its social significance, Oxford: Blackwell. vol. Language in society
The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course. The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students. Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Essay or Small Project |
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Additional coursework information
N/A
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Prof Enam Al-Wer, email: enama@essex.ac.uk.
Enam Al-Wer
4.202b, enama@essex.ac.uk
Yes
No
Yes
Dr Vivienne Esther Rogers
Available via Moodle
Of 18 hours, 16 (88.9%) hours available to students:
2 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).
* Please note: due to differing publication schedules, items marked with an asterisk (*) base their information upon the previous academic year.
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