ENG 3050 - Language and Society

3(3 + 0)

Prerequisite: Any of the following: ENG 2010, ENG 3020, ENG 3030, ENG 3040, ANT 2330 or Permission of instructor

This course examines the dynamic relationships between language and society. The students will investigate why people speak differently in different social contexts by identifying the social functions of language and the ways in which language is used to convey social meaning. The course focuses on language variation, including such topics as languages and dialects, pidgins and creoles, bilingualism and multilingualism, linguistic solidarity and politeness, language planning and language change. Field methods, including ethical research procedures, will be in integral part of the course.