French Sociolinguistics: Challenges to Francophonie

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.

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

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
Carry out research into a specific area of French sociolinguistics;
Discuss debates about language from a sociolinguistic perspective

Knowledge and Understanding

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

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;
to have deeper insight into sociolinguistic phenomena related to French, minority languages spoken in France and La Francophonie;
to carry out research after advanced training and practice in research methodology.
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;

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

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;
Critically evaluate your own skills.
Participate in critical discussions of controversial issues;
Express your own views and interpretations clearly and succinctly either in oral presentations or your written assignments;

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

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.

Study time
Type	Hours
Teaching	26
Independent Study	124
Total study time	150

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

Assessment

Assessment strategy

Assessments designed to provide informal, on-module feedback Practical tasks and activities in class and as weekly assignments

Summative

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

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Presentation	10%
Research project	50%
Essay	40%

Referral

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

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Research project	60%
Essay	40%

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