French Sociolinguistics: Challenges to Francophonie

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Discuss debates about language from a sociolinguistic perspective
• Carry out research into a specific area of French sociolinguistics;
• Think critically about questions of language identity in France and La Francophonie
• Think critically about the French language, and minority languages in France and La Francophonie
• Analyse theoretical work on language change, language variation and language and identity

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• to have deeper insight into sociolinguistic phenomena related to French, minority languages spoken in France and La Francophonie;
• to become more aware of how language relates to society, and of the role of historical, geographical, social and personal factors;
• to have an enhanced understanding of the interaction between variation and change in the evolution of languages;
• Produce complex readings of texts in various media;
• to look at the French language and other languages spoken in France from different perspectives, and in relation to the phenomenon of language in general;
• to carry out research after advanced training and practice in research methodology.

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Develop and clearly express sophisticated theoretical arguments in writing;
• Express your own views and interpretations clearly and succinctly either in oral presentations or your written assignments;
• Use a variety of resources to carry out detailed independent research;
• Critically evaluate your own skills.
• Collate a wide variety of primary and secondary material and evaluate its usefulness;
• Participate in critical discussions of controversial issues;

The module will broaden and deepen your interest in the French language from a sociolinguistic perspective and stimulate and develop your existing interest in (socio)linguistic phenomena;

You will gain an understanding of the French language as a system which allows for many variations, some of which are favoured by choice, culture and usage.

The module will follow three themes in connection to French and other languages spoken in France and La Francophonie:

Language Change Language Variation Language and Identity

Within these themes you will study French as a standard language, nonstandard varieties e.g. youth varieties, regional variation, minority languages in France, the languages spoken on France’s borders, French in Canada and Africa, and French Creoles.

Teaching methods include

Interactive Lectures;

Seminar group presentations;

Group discussion in seminars.

Learning activities include

Organisation of material and own ideas for oral presentation;

Developing own interpretation of theoretical texts and concepts;

Debating ideas in class

Independent study.

Innovative or special features of this module

You will be asked to join a topic group to discuss and present individual research and you will need to provide a group introduction to the topic under discussion. Guidance will be provided by the teachers.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.