Language Meaning, Variation and Change
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| MLAC1064 | Modern Languages and Cultures | 1 | 10 | Spring UK |
- Code
- MLAC1064
- School
- Modern Languages and Cultures
- Level
- 1
- Credits
- 10
- Semesters
- Spring UK
Summary
The main goal of the module is to introduce students to the functional aspects of language. It is focussed primarily on the relationships between language and society and covers such areas as historical and stylistic linguistic change, social and regional linguistic diversity, the notion of semantics and linguistic pragmatics. Students will also be provided with the tools to transfer the linguistic notions covered during the course to their own language learning experience.
Target Students
Available for primarily, first year students on BA MLT programme, also available to students from CLAS with a language component to their Degree. Also available for Exchange students.
Classes
- One 1-hour seminar each week for 10 weeks
- One 1-hour lecture each week for 10 weeks
Assessment
- 100% Exam 1 (2-hour)
Assessed by end of spring semester
Educational Aims
• to introduce students to different issues related to language pragmatics; • to create awareness of functional diversity within language; • raise awareness of the main reasons for linguistic changes •to encourage students to make informed choices in their use of language items, both native and foreign. To bridge the gap between basic notions of language theory and their own language learning and translation experience.Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and understanding: Students will be able to:
demonstrate a knowledge of basic linguistic notions (A1)
Demonstrate understanding of the dynamic and functional aspects of language, including historical changes as well as regional and social variations (A5, A7)
Demonstrate awareness of the relation between theoretical linguistic notions and translation studies (A2, A6)
Intellectual skills:
Ability to identify general linguistic phenomena in language-specific material (B3, B5)
Professional and practical skills:
advanced writing skills (C5, C6)
Ability to engage in problem solving tasks (B6, B7)
Understanding of the multidirectional nature of language development and application (B3)
Independent learning (C7)
Transferable (key) skills:
Through active participation in the module students will acquire the capacity to engage in a structured and well informed discussion about complex questions (D1)
The capacity to concentrate on core points and the ability to speak freely on the basis of a set of notes (D3)
The ability to write in a structured and concise way under time pressure (D6)
Working independently and as a part of a team (D5)