Sociolinguistics is the study of relations between language and society. This introductory course aims to provide a basic foundation for students who are interested in scholarly research of the dynamic interactions between language activities and societal processes. We will explore the historical basis (e.g., variationist sociolinguistics, interactional sociolinguistics, sociology of language) and various key theoretical topics (e.g., how languages change, how language affects the formation of social identity, how language is regulated through institutional and non-institutional means) in the field. No prior knowledge in linguistics or sociolinguistics is assumed, though students are very much encouraged to share their own case examples gathered from everyday encounters in lecture as well as tutorial discussions.
-
The historical development of sociolinguistics
-
Language variation and change
-
Language contact
-
Language in interaction
-
Language and identity
-
Multilingualism and globalization
-
Language policy and planning
-
Language attitudes and ideologies
-
Sociolinguistics in the world
-
To offer students an overview of the field of sociolinguistics.
-
To introduce students to the main sociolinguistic theories and concepts.
-
To provide students with basic training in sociolinguistic research.
-
To cultivate in students an active awareness towards interactions between language and societal developments both locally and globally.
Three class-hours on Tuesday each week:
-
Lecture on weekly topics in the first two hours;
-
Tutorial for in-class discussions, presentations and group work in the third hour.
-
Group project: 80%
-
Project proposal: 10%
-
In-class project presentation (graded by individual performance): 30%
-
Final project write-up: 40%
-
Tutorial participation: 20%
Please make group appointments (at least two weeks before the presentation) with Jasper or the tutors to discuss your research project and clarify any questions you might have.
Required readings will be selected from the following sources (among others):
-
Coupland, N., & Jaworski, A. (Eds.). (1997). Sociolinguistics: A reader and coursebook. London: Macmillan Press.
-
Jones, R. H., & Themistocleous, C. (2022). Introducing language and society. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
-
Mesthrie, R., Swann, J., Deumert, A., & Leap, W. L. (2009). Introducing sociolinguistics (2nd ed.). Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
These books are available at the HKU library in print and in electronic forms. Other suggested readings will be announced throughout the term.