230141 Investigating Individual and Societal Multilingualism (S) (SoSe 2025)

This seminar explores aspects of multilingualism from a sociopragmatic angle. Building on the linguistic foundations from both lectures, this seminar investigates multilingual environments from two major perspectives. We will look at how and why individuals or local groups (choose to) use multiple languages in their communication but also consider multilingualism on a larger, societal level. Considering both online and offline spaces, we will explore topics such as language acquisition and learning, code-switching, language and identity, as well as language policy and planning.
In other words, we will learn about what ‘multilinguals‘ are, in what ways they acquire and strategically use multiple languages in their everyday lives, what forms of multilingualism exist, and how multiple languages are acknowledged and regulated in specific societies and countries.
We will engage in hands-on research into individual and societal multilingualism. As part of a group research project, students will learn to describe, analyse and interpret instances and examples of multilingualism in local and societal contexts.
Further details will be made available in the first session.

Requirements for participation, required level

Having completed the other elements of the Basis3 module (i.e. "Introduction to English Linguistics" (Basis3.1) and "Introduction to Sociolinguistics" (Basis3.2)) before attending this seminar is highly recommended.