University of Essex

LG353-6-AU-CO:
English in the British Isles

The details

Year: 2023/24

Department: Language and Linguistics

Campus: Colchester Campus

Term: Autumn

Level: Undergraduate: Level 6

Status: Current

Start date: Thursday 05 October 2023

End date: Friday 15 December 2023

Credits: 15

Last updated: 07 April 2022

Requisites for this module

Pre-requisites: (none)

Co-requisites: (none)

Pre and / or co-requisites: (none)

Prohibited modules: (none)

Key module (requisite for): (none)

Key module for

BA QQ13 English Language and Linguistics,
BA QQ15 English Language and Linguistics (Including Placement Year),
BA QQ16 English Language and Linguistics (Including Foundation Year),
BA QQ3D English Language and Linguistics (Including Year Abroad),
MLINQA15 English Language and Lingistics (Including Placement Year),
MLINQA16 English Language and Linguistics (Including Year Abroad),
MLINQQ14 English Language and Linguistics

Module description

The module looks at the history and development of the English Language, and variation in English as it is spoken in the British Isles. The focus is on phonological variation, although salient syntactic, morphological and lexical features are also covered, illustrating with recordings wherever possible.

Module aims

• To introduce students to the salient features of the major accents and dialects of English, including historical varieties of the language and the ways in which these varieties evolved
• To enable students to develop an informed view of the status of non-standard varieties of English
• To provide practice in linguistic analysis, phonetic transcription and elementary auditory training.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module, you should have...

• An appreciation of why and how the English language changed over time.
• A comprehensive understanding of historical and sociolinguistic influences on language change.
• Gained insight into aspects of phonological and morphological variation.
• Gained a comprehensive understanding of concepts such as dialect and accent.
• Improved your transferable skills in auditory perception and phonetic transcription.

Module information

Module Moodle page

Learning and teaching methods

2-hour weekly lecture The lecture provides a general overview of the topic for the week, illustrated by recorded material where appropriate. Additional activities include the following: • analysing historical texts • listening to recordings and analysing them • practice in phonetic transcription • discussion of questions arising from the lecture • discussion of readings • question period

Bibliography

Baugh, A.C. and Cable, T. (2013) A history of the English language. Sixth edition. Abingdon: Routledge. Available at: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=145952.
McIntyre, D. (2009a) History of English: a resource book for students. London: Routledge. Available at: http://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9781003132196.
Hughes, A., Trudgill, P. and Watt, D.J.L. (2013) English accents & dialects. Fifth edition. Abingdon: Routledge. Available at: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9780203784440.
Crystal, D. (2004) The stories of English. London: Allen Lane.
Trudgill, P. (1990) The dialects of England. Oxford: Blackwell. Available at: http://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9781315505459.
Barber, C. (2000) The English Language: A Historical Introduction. Cambridge University Press. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139106894.
Britain, D. (2007) Language in the British Isles. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511620782.
Foulkes, P. and Docherty, G.J. (1999) Urban voices: accent studies in the British Isles. London: Arnold. Available at: http://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9781315832470.
Graddol, D. and Open University (2007) Changing English. 2nd ed. London: Routledge. Available at: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=6259545.
Milroy, J. and Milroy, L. (1993) Real English: the grammar of English dialects in the British Isles. London: Longman. Available at: http://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/e/9781315845135.
Hogg, R.M. (2002) An introduction to Old English. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press. Available at: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=459487&site=eds-live&authtype=sso&custid=s9814295&ebv=EB&ppid=pp_Cover.
Horobin, S. (2013) Chaucer’s language. 2nd ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Available at: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=4763414.
Hickey, R. (2007) Irish English: history and present-day forms. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511551048.

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

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

Coursework	Exam
100%	0%

Reassessment

Coursework	Exam
100%	0%

Module supervisor and teaching staff

Supervisor: Prof Enam Al-Wer, email: enama@essex.ac.uk.

Teaching staff: Professor Enam Al-Wer

Contact details: Professor Enam Al-Wer, 4.202b, 872240, enama@essex.ac.uk

Availability

Available to incoming Essex Abroad / Exchange students: Yes

Available to Outside Option: Yes

Available to Audit: No

External examiner

Name: Dr Sam Christian D'Elia

Resources

Teaching materials: Available via Moodle

Lecture recording: Of 18 hours, 18 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.

Further information

Department website: Language and Linguistics

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Module Directory

LG353-6-AU-CO:English in the British Isles