LELA30292
Language Contact
20
Semester 2
Undergraduate
Level 3
Eva Schultze-Berndt
Unit coordinator
Linguistics & English Language
1
FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Last part of a Bachelors '
European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 10.0
<div>This module provides an introduction to the study of language contact both as a process (the processing of different languages by multilingual individuals) and as a result (observed language change over time as a result of multilingual language use). Both aspects will be discussed on the basis of a range of case studies involving languages from around the world and different scenarios of multilingualism, covering phenomena such as code-switching, lexical and grammatical borrowing, and calquing (i.e. loan translation or "pattern borrowing"). We will also discuss the emergence of new languages - mixed languages and creole languages - as a result of language contact.</div>
<div>Much of linguistic analysis in the Western tradition is based on the assumption that speakers are either monolingual, or – if they do speak more than one language – that these form distinct systems. But do bilingual or multilingual speakers really process their languages as separate systems? What kind of influences from speakers’ first languages can manifest themselves in second language acquisition? Under what circumstances do bilingual speakers “mix” languages in conversation? Can such mixing result in changes in the languages involved, or even the formation of new languages? What are creole languages, and how do they arise? What do we really mean by the “borrowing” of elements from one language into another? How do processes of language acquisition relate to particular historical changes in the lexicon and grammar of a language? In this course unit, we will address the above questions on the basis of data from a range of published research papers presenting case studies on languages from around the world.</div>
<p>Students will:</p><ul><li>obtain an overview of processes of contact-induced historical language change</li><li>get an insight into the debate surrounding the formation of new languages due to language contact</li><li>be able to describe the relationship between multilingual language use and contact-induced language change</li><li>critically reflect on the concept of “language” as a delimited system</li><li>learn to analyse relevant aspects of the phonology, grammar and semantics of a range of languages, including non-European languages</li></ul>
<p>Students will</p><ul><li>be able to define some key conceptual notions in language contact such as “borrowing”,“code-switching”, and “creole genesis”</li><li>link historical processes of contact-induced change to the processing of multiple languages by multilingual speakers</li><li>apply these concepts to unseen data from familiar and unfamiliar languages</li></ul>
<ul><li>interpreting data presented in different formats e.g. graphs, tables, sets of linguistics examples</li><li>critical evaluation of the evidence and sources of data underlying theoretical claims</li><li>identifying conceptual links between synchronic and diachronic phenomena</li></ul>
<ul> <li> analysis of multilingual conversations</li> <li> use of glosses and translations to analyse structures of unfamiliar languages</li></ul>
<ul><li>confidence in data analysis</li><li>confidence in argumentation</li><li>precise argumentation with reference to evidence</li></ul>
Analytical skills
Considerable emphasis will be placed on the interpretation and critical evaluation of data presented in various formats, e.g. graphs, tables, and sets of linguistic examples.
Research
The course content encourages students to critically reflect upon the world outside the university thereby providing confidence to use academic research in a variety of settings.
Written communication
The course will also provide key skills in critical analysis and in the dissemination of information to different audiences and therefore be of value for a range of career paths.
Other
The course will have particular benefits for any student interested in pursuing a career which involves teaching and learning, diversity management, intercultural communication and community cohesion. Students will arrive at an increased appreciation of multilingualism and linguistic diversity.
0
Other
100%
<p> </p><figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Assessment Task</td><td>Formative or Summative</td><td>Weighting (if applicable)</td></tr><tr><td>Online Quiz</td><td>Formative and Summative</td><td>30%</td></tr><tr><td>Literature question and data analysis tasks</td><td>Formative</td><td> </td></tr><tr><td>On Campus exam</td><td>Summative</td><td>70%</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>
<figure class="table" style="width:662px;"><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="662"><tbody><tr><td style="width:321px;"><strong>Feedback method</strong></td><td style="width:340px;"><strong>Formative or Summative</strong></td></tr><tr><td style="width:321px;"> Feedback on contributions and analyses presented during seminars</td><td style="width:340px;">Formative</td></tr><tr><td style="width:321px;"> Written feedback on mid-term exam</td><td style="width:340px;">Formative and Summative</td></tr><tr><td style="height:7px;width:321px;"> Written feedback on final exam</td><td style="height:7px;width:340px;">Summative</td></tr><tr><td style="height:7px;width:321px;"> Additional one-to-one feedback during consultation hours</td><td style="height:7px;width:340px;">Formative</td></tr></tbody></table></figure><p> </p>
LELA10301
English Word and Sentence Structure
Pre-Requisite
Compulsory
LELA20022
Analysing Grammar
Pre-Requisite
Compulsory
LELA20102
Societal Multilingualism
Pre-Requisite
Compulsory
LELA20032
Typology
Pre-Requisite
Compulsory
LELA20401
The Changing English Language
Pre-Requisite
Compulsory
LELA20962
Psycholinguistics
Pre-Requisite
Compulsory
Pre-req for LELA30292<div>At least one unit out of:</div><ul> <li>LELA20021 Analysing Grammar;</li> <li>LELA20101 Societal Multilingualism;</li> <li>LELA20032 Typology;</li> <li>LELA20401 Changing English Language;</li> <li>LELA20962 Psycholinguistics–or comparable</li></ul>
BA(Hons) English Language
BA (Hons) English Language
Third Year
Optional
BA(Hons) Linguistics
BA (Hons) Linguistics
Third Year
Optional
Y
<ul> <li>Bhatia, Tej K. & William C. Ritchie (eds.) 2013. The Handbook of Bilingualism and Multilingualism, Second Edition. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.</li> <li>Hickey, Raymond (ed.) 2010. The Handbook of Language Contact. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.</li> <li>Matras, Yaron. 2009. Language contact. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.</li> <li>Winford, Donald. 2003. An introduction to contact linguistics. Oxford: Blackwell.</li> <li>Wei, Li. ed. 2000. The bilingualism reader. London: Routledge.</li></ul>
Lectures
16.5
Seminars
16.5
0
167