The module covers the external and internal history of English, and dialectal variation within the British Isles. We begin by identifying English as a member of the Germanic group of the Indo-European language family, followed by a concise account of Old English and Middle English. The major linguistic changes are traced right through to Modern English. We will learn about the distinctive features that characterise the dialects of various regions in England and the formerly Celtic-speaking areas (Wales, Scotland and Ireland), demonstrating these features through recordings of natural speech where appropriate.
Aims
* To familiarise students with the salient features of the major dialects of English (including earlier stages of the language) and the ways in which these varieties have evolved.
* To enable students to develop an informed view of the status on non-standard varieties of English within the British Isles.
* To bring together different approaches to the study of language: synchronic, diachronic and sociolinguistic
Learning Outcomes
1. Ability to identify most regional accents of British English and to describe the differences between them
2. Ability to make well-informed contribution to controversies concerning standard vs non-standard English (e.g. in education, broadcasting, etc.)
3. Ability to read research papers on variation in English and understand them within a broader perspective
4. Ability to conduct original research on variation in English
Aims
* To familiarise students with the salient features of the major dialects of English (including earlier stages of the language) and the ways in which these varieties have evolved.
* To enable students to develop an informed view of the status on non-standard varieties of English within the British Isles.
* To bring together different approaches to the study of language: synchronic, diachronic and sociolinguistic
Learning Outcomes
1. Ability to identify most regional accents of British English and to describe the differences between them
2. Ability to make well-informed contribution to controversies concerning standard vs non-standard English (e.g. in education, broadcasting, etc.)
3. Ability to read research papers on variation in English and understand them within a broader perspective
4. Ability to conduct original research on variation in English
- Module Supervisor: Ella Jeffries