LG453-6-FY: VARIETIES OF ENGLISH
Year: 2013/14
Department: Language and Linguistics
Essex credit: 30
ECTS credit: 15
Available to Study Abroad / Exchange Students: Yes Pre-requisites: (LG102 OR LG105) AND LG232
Comments: LG102 OR LG105 & LG232.
| Module is taught during the following terms |
| Autumn |  | Spring | | Summer | |
Module Description
The module looks at a wide range of variation in the English Language as it is spoken in different parts of the British Isles and around the world, and discusses associated historical and sociolinguistic issues. The focus is on phonological variation, although salient syntactic, morphological and lexical features are also covered, illustrating with recordings wherever possible.
The content of the module is organised in two parts:
Part I, taught in the Autumn Term, covers issues in the external history of English (migration, settlements, invasions) and their linguistic effects, the major linguistic developments in the history of the English language, and dialectal variation in England.
Part II, taught in the Spring Term, covers dialectal variation outside England the Celtic speaking countries, North America and Southern Hemisphere).
Learning outcomes include:
* Ability to identify most regional accents of English and to describe the differences between them.
* Ability to you read research papers on variation in English and understand them within a broader perspective.
Learning & Teaching Methods
One 2-hour lecture for 20 weeks.
Assessment
50 per cent Coursework Mark, 50 per cent Exam Mark
Other details:
50 percent Course Work Mark, 50 percent Exam Mark.
Coursework deadlines: Term 1: Wed 23 January 2013. Term 2: 24 April 2013.
Exam Duration and Period
3:00 hour exam during Summer Examination period.
Bibliography
- The module has a booklet containing all the material needed for the weekly lectures. References includes:
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Baugh, A. C. & Cable, T. 1993. A history of the English Language. Routledge
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Lass, R. 1987. The shape of English. Dent.
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Wells, J. C. 1982. Accents of English (3 volumes) CUP.