Module overview
This module in French sociolinguistics aims to build on and re-evaluate your existing knowledge of the French language from a sociolinguistic perspective. The module has three major themes: language change, language variation and language identity in relation to the French language in France and other parts of the world. It looks at French as a standard language, regional variation, minority languages in France, French in Canada and Africa, and French Creoles. It provides a challenge to the way you think about French and its relation to other languages.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Discuss debates about language from a sociolinguistic perspective
- Carry out research into a specific area of French sociolinguistics;
- Think critically about the French language, and minority languages in France and La Francophonie
- Analyse theoretical work on language change, language variation and language and identity
- Think critically about questions of language identity in France and La Francophonie
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Critically evaluate your own skills.
- Participate in critical discussions of controversial issues;
- Develop and clearly express sophisticated theoretical arguments in writing;
- Use a variety of resources to carry out detailed independent research;
- Collate a wide variety of primary and secondary material and evaluate its usefulness;
- Express your own views and interpretations clearly and succinctly either in oral presentations or your written assignments;
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- to carry out research after advanced training and practice in research methodology.
- Produce complex readings of texts in various media;
- to have deeper insight into sociolinguistic phenomena related to French, minority languages spoken in France and La Francophonie;
- to become more aware of how language relates to society, and of the role of historical, geographical, social and personal factors;
- to look at the French language and other languages spoken in France from different perspectives, and in relation to the phenomenon of language in general;
- to have an enhanced understanding of the interaction between variation and change in the evolution of languages;
Syllabus
The module will broaden and deepen your interest in the French language from a sociolinguistic perspective and stimulate and develop your existing interest in (socio)linguistic phenomena;
You will gain an understanding of the French language as a system which allows for many variations, some of which are favoured by choice, culture and usage.
The module will follow three themes in connection to French and other languages spoken in France and La Francophonie:
Language Change Language Variation Language and Identity
Within these themes you will study French as a standard language, nonstandard varieties e.g. youth varieties, regional variation, minority languages in France, the languages spoken on France’s borders, French in Canada and Africa, and French Creoles.
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching methods include
Interactive Lectures;
Seminar group presentations;
Group discussion in seminars.
Learning activities include
Organisation of material and own ideas for oral presentation;
Developing own interpretation of theoretical texts and concepts;
Debating ideas in class
Independent study.
Innovative or special features of this module
You will be asked to join a topic group to discuss and present individual research and you will need to provide a group introduction to the topic under discussion. Guidance will be provided by the teachers.
Type | Hours |
---|---|
Teaching | 26 |
Independent Study | 124 |
Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
Textbooks
Coveney, A (2001). The sounds of contemporary French: articulation and diversity. Elm Bank Publications.
Wardhaugh, R (2011). Introduction to sociolinguistics. Wiley-Blackwell.
Aitchison, J (2013). Language change: progress or decay?. CUP.
Offord., M (ed) (1996). A reader in French sociolinguistics. Series title: (Applications in French linguistics ; vol.1). Clevedon: Multilingual Matters.
Lodge, R. A (1993). French from dialect to standard. Routledge.
Rickard, P (1989). A history of the French language [electronic resource]. London ; Boston: Unwin Hyman.
Detey, Sylvain; Durand, Jacques; Laks, Bernard; & Lyche, Chantal (eds) (2010). Les Variétés du Français Parlé dans l'Espace Francophone: ressources pour l'enseignement. Paris: Éditions Ophrys.
Posner, Rebecca (1997). Linguistic change in French. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
Gadet, Françoise (2003). La variation sociale en français. Paris: Ophrys.
Coveney, A., M-AC-E Hintze, CC-E Sanders (2004). Variation et francophonie. Paris: L'Harmattan.
Hintze, M. A. et al (eds) (2001). French accents: phonological and sociolinguistic perspectives. Association of French Language Studies.
Assessment
Assessment strategy
Assessments designed to provide informal, on-module feedback
Practical tasks and activities in class and as weekly assignments
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Essay | 40% |
Research project | 50% |
Presentation | 10% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Essay | 40% |
Research project | 60% |
Repeat
An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Assignment | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External