This seminar will explore the status and character of English in the British Isles. In pursuing this goal we will look chiefly at the present-day situation. The chief focus will be, as indicated, on English, but we will look at least briefly at relevant historical changes and at other languages which were or still are in use in the British Isles (autochthonous languages and immigrant languages) and how English has interacted or is interacting with them.
Initially we will look at the demographic changes which have influenced or are influencing the development of the language and will consider the effects of both overt and covert forces on present-day English. This entails looking at the effects of class and education as we review the process of standardization as well as the development and status of urban, koinéized forms of General English.
The second and by far more extensive set of sessions will be organized according to the linguistic levels of the language, that is, its vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar. We will also direct our attention to variation in English according to features of both the use of the language and regional, gender, ethnic, and education/social class differences of its users.
This class offers students the opportunity to learn about the numerous varieties of English which are to be found in the British Isles.
A literature / reading list will be provided.
Frequency | Weekday | Time | Format / Place | Period | |
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weekly | Di | 8:30-10 | X-E1-202 | 07.10.2019-31.01.2020
not on: 12/24/19 / 12/31/19 |
Module | Course | Requirements | |
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23-ANG-AngPM2.1 Profilmodul 2.1: British Studies | 2.1.1 Language in Britain | Study requirement
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Student information |
- | Graded examination | Student information | |
23-ANG-AngPM2.1_a Profilmodul 2.1: British Studies | 2.1.1 Language in Britain | Study requirement
|
Student information |
- | Graded examination | Student information | |
23-ANG-AngPM2_a Profilmodul 2: British Studies | 2.1 Language in Britain | Study requirement
|
Student information |
- | Graded examination | Student information | |
23-ANG-AngPM5 Profilmodul 5: English Language and Linguistics | 5.2 Language in Britain | Study requirement
|
Student information |
- | Graded examination | Student information |
The binding module descriptions contain further information, including specifications on the "types of assignments" students need to complete. In cases where a module description mentions more than one kind of assignment, the respective member of the teaching staff will decide which task(s) they assign the students.
In order to get full credit, the following is expected of you:
1. that you attend class regularly,
2. that you do the assigned reading,
3. that you present a short oral report and submit a written version of it.
If you do not want to do no. 3 above, you can instead
4. take a final exam as a way of showing that you have participated actively.
It is possible to write a module paper within the framework of this seminar.