Language And Society

1. Explain the concept of language as a social phenomenon.
2. Identify social factors influencing language use.
3. Describe different language varieties.
4. Explain bilingualism and multilingualism.
5. Discuss language planning and policy.
6. Analyze discourse features.

13 weeks, about 32 hours in total. Yours will differ.

1. Week 1Module 1: Introduction to Language and Society

   • Unit 1: Language as a Social Phenomenon and Its Functions · 2 hours

     Read the introduction to language as a social phenomenon.. Identify the various functions of language in society.. Differentiate between emotive, referential, social, and poetic functions.. Reflect on how language establishes social relationships..

2. Week 2Module 1: Introduction to Language and Society

   • Unit 2: Social Factors in Language Use · 2 hours

     Explore how contextual factors affect language use.. Discuss the roles of age, social status, education, sex, and gender in language use.. Analyze how social factors shape language construction and meaning.. Examine the impact of social status on linguistic behavior..

3. Week 3Module 2: Language Varieties I

   • Unit 1: Dialect, Accent, Sociolect and Idiolect · 2 hours

     Explain the various applications of the term dialect.. Differentiate between dialect, accent, and sociolect.. Identify factors that shape regional dialects.. Examine how geographical origin influences language features..

4. Week 4Module 2: Language Varieties I

   • Unit 2: Register · 2 hours

     Define and illustrate the term register.. Explain the three register variables: field, mode, and tenor.. Identify specific linguistic features of English registers.. Analyze how language use varies according to context and purpose..

5. Week 5Module 2: Language Varieties I

   • Unit 3: Style · 2 hours

     Define the concept of style.. Identify the purpose of style.. Explain how the social context of language use affects style.. Analyze the linguistic style of texts and speeches..

6. Week 6Module 3: Language Varieties II

   • Unit 1: Standard, Non-standard, Native and Non-native Varieties · 2 hours

     Explain the ideas of standard and non-standard varieties.. List major features of native and non-native varieties.. Identify major features of a vernacular language.. Compare and contrast standard and non-standard language forms..

7. Week 7Module 3: Language Varieties II

   • Unit 2: Deviant/Restricted Varieties · 2 hours

     Explain what is meant by deviant languages.. Discuss why some varieties are regarded as deviant varieties.. Explain slang, jargon, and graffiti with examples.. Analyze how language norms are challenged by deviant varieties..

8. Week 8Module 3: Language Varieties II

   • Unit 3: New Varieties (E-mail, Text Messaging, Mobile Telephoning · 2 hours

     Explain the term technologically mediated discourse.. Discuss major features of technologically mediated discourse.. Explain how technologically mediated discourse differs from conventional communication.. Identify challenges the new varieties pose for communication..

9. Week 9Module 3: Language Varieties II

   • Unit 4: Languages in Contact (Pidgin and Creole) · 2 hours

     Explain the idea of languages in contact.. Identify major features of pidgin and creole languages.. Differentiate between pidgin and creole languages.. Examine the evolution and characteristics of contact languages..

10. Week 10Module 4: Language: Types, Ethnography and Acquisition

    • Unit 1: Language Typologies · 2 hours

      Explain the major language types discussed.. Differentiate between formal and functional typologies of language.. Identify major sub-systems of each typology.. Describe languages using these typologies..

11. Week 11Module 4: Language: Types, Ethnography and Acquisition

    • Unit 2: Linguistic Anthropology · 2 hours

      Identify the relationship between language and social/cultural values.. Explain the concept of speech community.. Explain how ethnography relates to language study.. Analyze speech situations using ethnography of communication concepts..

    • Unit 3: Language Learning and Acquisition · 2 hours

      Differentiate between child language acquisition and adult language learning.. Explain the relationship between language and thought.. Discuss the basic content of the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis.. Explore the cognitive dimensions of language use..

12. Week 12Module 5: Multilingualism and Language Development

    • Unit 1: Bilingualism/Multilingualism · 2 hours

      Explain the concept of bilingualism.. Identify the types of bilingualism.. Discuss the notion of diglossia in relation to bilingualism.. Analyze the social dynamics of bilingual communities..

    • Unit 2: Language Policy · 2 hours

      Explain the term language policy.. Describe different types of states.. Describe kinds of policies adopted by governments.. Examine how language policies shape linguistic landscapes..

13. Week 13Module 5: Multilingualism and Language Development

    • Unit 3: Language Planning, Maintenance, Shift and Death · 2 hours

      Explain concepts of language development.. Describe language planning and factors influencing it.. Explain language shift and language death.. Explore strategies for language maintenance and revitalization..

    • Unit 1: Discourse Analysis · 2 hours

      Explain the meaning of discourse analysis.. Identify major features of a text or discourse.. Describe the structure of discourse.. Differentiate between interactive and non-interactive discourse..