Bilingualism and Multilingualism
- Arts
- 800 level
- 3 credit units
- 183 pages
- 16 units
This course explores the concepts of bilingualism and multilingualism, examining their definitions, theories, and related issues. It investigates the processes involved in language interactions, the politics of bilingual and multilingual situations, and the impact of language policy. The course also delves into code-switching, code-mixing, and the role of language as identity in a globalized world. Students will learn to research bilingual and multilingual experiences and apply research tools in real-world contexts.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 48 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical, case study, research
- Practical work
- Yes
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assessments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of ENG851, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
- UNIT 1: Bilingualism/Multilingualism and National DevelopmentPage 133
- UNIT 2 LANGUAGE POLICY AND PLANNING IN A BILINGUAL/MULTILINGUAL COMMUNITYPage 144
- Unit 4: Consequences of Bilingualism/Multilingualism on a Society: Hybridisation, Modernisation and Possible LinguicidePage 154
- UNIT 5: The Global Village: Is There Any Advantage?Page 172
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
ENG851 · UNIT 3: Diglossia and Bilingualism/Multilingualism
From the foregoing discussion, you would have observed that the classification of the varieties is based on some features of the varieties of language. Ferguson identified the following nine features: function, standardisation, prestige, acquisition, literary heritage, stability, grammar, lexicon and phonology as central to this classification.
What you should be able to do
- Define and explain bilingualism and multilingualism.
- Analyze the relationship between language and society.
- Evaluate the impact of globalization on language use.
- Assess the role of language policy in national development.
- Apply research methods to study bilingual and multilingual communities.
What it prepares you for
- Translator
- Interpreter
- Language Policy Analyst
- Cross-cultural Communication Specialist
- International Relations Officer
- Education
- Government
- International Business
- Translation Services
- Diplomacy
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 3: Multilingualism
Unit 2: Individual or Societal Measurement of Multilingualism
The unit requires understanding of complex sociolinguistic theories and their application to real-world multilingual contexts.
- Module 4: Bilingualism/multilingualism in a globalised world
Unit 1: Bilingualism/Multilingualism and National Development
The unit requires critical analysis of the interplay between globalization, language policies, and national development, demanding a nuanced understanding of political and socio-economic factors.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 28 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Basic concepts and issues in bilingualism/multilingualism
Unit 1: Code: language or dialect? · 2 hours
Define code as a sociolinguistic term.. Explain language and dialect.. Distinguish between language and dialect.. Discuss the relationship between language and society..
- Week 2Module 1: Basic concepts and issues in bilingualism/multilingualism
Unit 2: Bilingualism versus multilingualism · 2 hours
Discuss the term bilingualism.. Examine degrees of bilingualism.. Explain the term multilingualism.. Differentiate between bilingualism and biculturalism..
- Week 3Module 1: Basic concepts and issues in bilingualism/multilingualism
Unit 3: Diglossia and Bilingualism/Multilingualism · 2 hours
Explain the term diglossia.. Discuss types of diglossia.. Explain diglossia and language shift.. Distinguish between diglossia and bilingualism..
- Week 4Module 1: Basic concepts and issues in bilingualism/multilingualism
Unit 4: Code Mixing/Code Switching: Relevance and Effect · 2 hours
Explain the term code mixing.. Explain the term code switching.. Distinguish between code mixing/code switching and borrowing.. Discuss the functions of code mixing/code switching..
- Week 5Module 1: Basic concepts and issues in bilingualism/multilingualism
Unit 5: The place of language as identity in a globalised world · 2 hours
Explain the concept of globalisation.. Explain the term identity.. Discuss the link between language and identity.. Explain linguistic identities in a globalised world..
- Week 6Module 2: Bilingualism
Unit 1: Definitions and Theories of Bilingualism · 2 hours
Critically assess the various definitions of bilingualism.. Identify how bilingualism foster cultural understanding.. Discuss types of bilingualism.. Distinguish between bilingualism and monolingualism.
- Week 7Module 2: Bilingualism
Unit 2: Individual or Societal Measurement of Bilingualism · 2 hours
Explain individual bilingualism.. State some qualities of a bilingual.. Distinguish between individual and societal bilingualism.. Discuss the role of English in Nigeria's bilingual society.
- Week 8Module 2: Bilingualism
Unit 3 How is Bilingualism Acquired, Learnt and Used? · 2 hours
Explain how bilingualism could be acquired.. Discuss the role of environment in language learning.. State the four identifiable abilities of the bilingual.. Appreciate the bilingual learning problems..
- Week 9Module 2: Bilingualism
Unit 5: Examples of Bilingualism · 2 hours
Explain bilingualism as a phenomenon.. State some indices to determine bilingualism.. Discuss some examples of bilingualism.. Describe language proficiency of a bilingual..
- Week 10Module 3: Multilingualism
Unit 1: Definitions and Theories of Multilingualism · 2 hours
Define multilingualism. Explain language contact as a precursor of multilingualism. Describe the Nigerian context of multilingualism. Distinguish between bilingualism and multilingualism.
- Week 11Module 3: Multilingualism
Unit 2: Individual or Societal Measurement of Multilingualism · 2 hours
Explain individual and societal multilingualism. Distinguish between code-switching and code-mixing. Discuss the impact of these on the Nigerian indigenous languages. Discuss Fishman's eight stage goals of societal multilingualism.
- Week 12Module 3: Multilingualism
Unit 5: Examples of Multilingualism · 2 hours
Evaluate the multilingual needs of the global community. Assess the merits and drawbacks of globalisation. Describe possible language treatment initiatives. Discuss the reasons for linguicide.
- Week 13Module 4: Bilingualism/multilingualism in a globalised world
Unit 1: Bilingualism/Multilingualism and National Development · 2 hours
State the goals of national development. Explain the problems of a multilingual nation. Discuss the step to achieve national development. Appreciate the role of language policy in National development.
Unit 2 Language Policy and Planning in a Bilingual/Multilingual Community · 2 hours
Explain language policy and planning. Evaluate the options involved in language policy. Describe the stages of language planning. Discuss some political considerations in language planning.
Preparing for the exam
- Create flashcards for key terms: bilingualism, multilingualism, diglossia, code-switching.
- Review case studies of bilingual communities from Units 2 and 3.
- Practice analyzing language policies from Unit 4.
- Develop arguments for and against globalization's impact on language diversity.
- Outline research methodologies discussed in Unit 5 for studying language use in communities.
Questions students ask about this course
What is ENG851 about?
This course explores the concepts of bilingualism and multilingualism, examining their definitions, theories, and related issues. It investigates the processes involved in language interactions, the politics of bilingual and multilingual situations, and the impact of language policy. The course also delves into code-switching, code-mixing, and the role of language as identity in a globalized world. Students will learn to research bilingual and multilingual experiences and apply research tools in real-world contexts.
How many units does ENG851 have?
ENG851, Bilingualism and Multilingualism, has 16 units across 4 modules, over 183 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is ENG851?
ENG851 carries 3 credit units, at 800 level in Arts.
Is ENG851 hard?
ENG851 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical, case study and research work, and it has a practical component.
How long does ENG851 take to study?
About 48 hours of study, spread across its 16 units.
How is ENG851 assessed?
ENG851 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.
What can I do with ENG851?
Translator, Interpreter, Language Policy Analyst, Cross cultural Communication Specialist and International Relations Officer.