2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

LING3005 Languages in Contact

20 creditsClass Size: 18

Module manager: Dr Marco Santello
Email: m.santello@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

Pre-requisite qualifications

Ling1100 or
MODL1401

Pre-requisites

LING1100	Language: Meaning and Use
MODL1401	Discourse, Culture and Identity

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module enhances students' understanding of languages in contact. It also develops a set of critical as well as creative skills in relation to bilingual and multilingual practices so that the students will be able to understand what it means to know and use multiple languages. The emphasis in this module will be on cognitive, pragmatic and sociolinguistic aspects of language contact, interrogated through examples from multilingual realities in Europe and beyond.

Objectives

The module aims to
(1) Introduce major issues concerning languages in contact including how languages coexist in the brain and the consequences of such coexistence, how individuals and communities use multiple languages simultaneously, how societies construct and promote monolingual versus multilingual norms;
(2) Develop understanding of the phenomena that occur when languages come into contact including borrowing, codeswitching and language attrition;
(3) Develop critical awareness of the articulation of monolingual ideologies as well as the exploitation of multilingualism in the commercial sphere;
(4) Develop bilingual skills through the production of mixed language texts.

Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this module students should be able to
(1) Demonstrate a clear understanding of the terminology, concepts, and information used in the study of languages in contact;
(2) Show critical understanding of language contact phenomena;
(3) Present a structured, coherent and well-articulated argument regarding languages in contact using information from different sources, referenced appropriately;
(4) Show critical awareness of multilingualism in society;
(5) Communicate creatively using multiple linguistic resources simultaneously.

Skills outcomes
Through this module students will develop the following subject-specific skills:
- Understand the main theoretical instruments used in the study of languages in contact;
- Recognise and understand a range of language contact phenomena;
- Identify and assess the importance of the factors that lead to language contact;
- Evaluate critically the societal treatment of bilingualism and multilingualism.

Syllabus

This module explores what happens when languages come into contact both at an individual and at societal level. Throughout the module students will gain an advanced knowledge of the phenomena involved in language contact spanning from the coexistence of languages in the brain to their use in society. We will cover a number of topics including the following: why languages get close to one another; why multilingualism exists and what are the main forces that engender it; multiple languages and the brain; how individuals and communities use various languages simultaneously; having an accent in a language; what it means to be a speaker of a minority language; monolingual normativity and its consequences; language policy; bilingual/multilingual creativity; languages in the market.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	10	1.50	15.00
Seminar	5	1.00	5.00
Private study hours			180.00
Total Contact hours			20.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Students are expected to undertake independent reading outside of class. Guidance will be provided on this in lectures and seminars.
There will be preparation for formative assessments and preparation for the assignment and the exam.
4 hours reading per lecture (40 hours); 4 hours preparation on set readings for seminars (20 hours); 60 hours preparation for assessed essay; 60 hours preparation for examination = 180 hours.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Student progress will be monitored through seminar contributions and participation in whole class teaching. In addition, timely written feedback will be provided on the first blog entry so that it can help the student with preparation of the second blog entry. Feedback will also be provided on coursework prior to the exam.

There will be two formative blog entries consisting of original multilingual texts produced by the students. One entry will be individual (200 words, to be submitted in week 3) and one will be done in pairs (600 words or equivalent, to be submitted in week 10). Neither is compulsory or assigned a mark.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	2500 word essay	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		50.00

The formative blog entries will consist of original multilingual texts produced by the students. One entry will be individual and one will be done in pairs. Neither is compulsory or assigned a mark.

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Unseen exam	2 hr 00 mins	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		50.00

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 02/03/2018 17:22:53

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