General provisions

The course is given within semester 1 on the Bachelor's Programme in languages and as an independent course.

Entry requirements

General entry requirements and English 6 or English B

Learning outcomes

The course intends to give an introduction to theories of the social and psychological functions of language within the fields of sociolinguistics and psycholinguistics.

On completion of this course, to be given the grade Pass, the student should at least be able to:

\x{2022} account for how one can identify and explain various types of linguistic variation (key concepts sociolect, idiolect, dialect, age gradation, register and style) on the basis of social and linguistic variables,

\x{2022} describe the characteristics of the quantitative paradigm and the interactional paradigm regarding both theory and method,

\x{2022} use concepts of conversation analysis to describe conversations at a fundamental level; speech act, performative statement, turn, feedbacks, adjacency pairs, validity conditions, conversational maxims,

\x{2022} explain and illustrate basic terminology within bi- and multilingual research (with a focus on code-switching, transfer and interlanguage), and account for language change, pidgin and creole languages,

\x{2022} describe the situation of minority languages in Sweden and account for the terminology with which language-political measures are described,

\x{2022} describe the knowledge that lies behind language use and describe this in a way which is psychologically relevant and in a basic way account for the psychological mechanisms that limit how this knowledge is processed

\x{2022} account for the way in which the different parts of the brain are involved in language use (key concepts are lateralisation, critical period for language learning and aphasia), and account for the importance of memory in both language use and in how we store language cognitively,

\x{2022} account for the characteristics of perception and production both in speech and writing and be familiar with current models that describe this,

\x{2022} based on scientific discourse criticise and defend the hypothesis of linguistic relativism.

Content

The course gives a general introduction to the two research fields Psycholinguistics and Sociolinguistics. The course should provide knowledge of basic terminology and current theories and methods within the respective research fields. Central fields are linguistic variation, multilingualism, linguistic interaction, language policy, production, perception and language acquisition.

Instruction

Instruction consists of lectures, workshops and assessment. The student's own learning activities are crucial for the completion of the course.

Assessment

The students show the results of their learning through a combination of different forms of assessment, which can be either oral or written. Assessment can take place at a scheduled time and location (for example within the scope of regular teaching), or be such that the student does them at home. Information regarding assessment will be announced at the beginning of the course.

Other regulations

The course may not be included in a degree if equivalent parts have been studied within another course included in the degree.