French Sociolinguistics (online)

Module overview

This module in French sociolinguistics aims to build on, and re-evaluate your existing knowledge of the French language from a sociolinguistic perspective. The module has three major themes language change, language variation and language identity in relation to the French language in France and other parts of the world. It looks at French as a standard language, regional variation, minority languages in France, French in Canada and Africa, and French Creoles. It provides a challenge to the way you think about French and its relation to other languages.

Linked modules

FREN1016

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Analyse theoretical work on language change, language variation and language and identity
Think critically about the French language, and other minority languages in France and La Francophonie
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

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

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

Knowledge and Understanding

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

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 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 become more aware of how language relates to society, and of the role of historical, geographical, social and personal factors;
to have deeper insight into sociolinguistic phenomena related to French, minority languages spoken in France and La Francophonie;

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching methods include: -Regular recorded lectures from module leaders delivered online (using Panopto - lecture capture software) - Associated online chat and Discussion Forum activities - Student participation and interaction through group blogging tasks - Student online presentations using Teams videocasts Learning activities include -Organisation of material and own ideas for oral presentation -Developing own interpretation of theoretical works and texts - Debating ideas with tutor and fellow colleagues in online forums - Independent study.

Study time
Type	Hours
Tutorial	5
Completion of assessment task	45
Preparation for scheduled sessions	50
Follow-up work	10
Wider reading or practice	20
Seminar	20
Total study time	150

Resources & Reading list

Internet Resources

Description and/or list, with URL, library reference, etc.

Textbooks

Coveney, A., M-AC-E Hintze, CC-E Sanders (2004). Variation et francophonie. Paris: L'Harmattan.

Lodge, R. A (1993). French from dialect to standard. Routledge.

Offord., M (ed) (1996). A reader in French sociolinguistics. Series title: (Applications in French linguistics ; vol.1). Clevedon: Multilingual Matters.

Detey, Sylvain; Durand, Jacques; Laks, Bernard; & Lyche, Chantal (eds) (2010). Les Variétés du Français Parlé dans l'Espace Francophone: ressources pour l'enseignement. Paris: Éditions Ophrys.

Gadet, Françoise (2003). La variation sociale en français. Paris: Ophrys.

Rickard, P (1989). A history of the French language [electronic resource]. London ; Boston: Unwin Hyman.

Aitchison, J (2013). Language change: progress or decay?. CUP.

Posner, Rebecca (1997). Linguistic change in French. Oxford: Clarendon Press.

Coveney, A (2001). The sounds of contemporary French: articulation and diversity. Elm Bank Publications.

Hintze, M. A. et al (eds) (2001). French accents: phonological and sociolinguistic perspectives. Association of French Language Studies.

Wardhaugh, R (2011). Introduction to sociolinguistics. Wiley-Blackwell.

Assessment

Summative

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

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Essay	40%
Research project	50%
Digital presentation	10%

Referral

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

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Project	100%

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.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Assignment	100%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External