Module Content and Indicative Topics

Exploring the structures and usage of the Scandinavian languages in their modern form, the module covers areas such as language form, language meaning and language in context. The module seeks to offer students a theoretical grounding in the broad field of linguistics and neighbouring disciplines, and a solid introduction to their methods and applications, with a key feature being cross-linguistic comparison between the Scandinavian languages. This module is aimed at students in their second or fourth year of study.

The module will cover the following topics, which may be subject to variation depending on developments in academic research and the interests of the class:

Linguistic structures, speech, cultural semantics, inter-Scandinavian communication, anglicisation of the Scandinavian languages, dialectology, sociolinguistics.

Teaching Delivery

Each seminar will have both a theoretical and practical dimension and will consist of a lecture/discussion segment followed by a workshop element centred on students’ hands-on work with language. Students will prepare short presentations for the seminars either individually or in small groups and will receive guidance on relevant readings for these. The module’s Moodle site will provide additional material and links to suggestions for further reading/viewing/listening/discussion. All students will be expected give at least one presentation during the term and to have read towards the group discussion each week.

By the end of the module, you should be able to:

1. Identify grammatical, syntactical and lexical differences and similarities between the Scandinavian languages

2. Understand theories of linguistics and their relationship with associated theoretical fields

3. Use digital tools (e.g. text corpora) as a basis for language analysis and research

4. Analyse dialectal variations and their features within the Scandinavian countries

5. Use your knowledge of the relationship between theories, methods and practical tools applicable to the analysis of language, culture and society

Suggested background reading:

Heine, Bernd and Heiko Narrog (eds) (2009) The Oxford Handbook of Linguistic Analysis (Oxford: Oxford University Press)

Kaplan, Robert B. (2010) The Oxford Handbook of Applied Linguistics (Oxford: Oxford University Press)

Lundskær-Nielsen, Tom, Michael Barnes, Annika Lindskog (2005) Introduction to Scandinavian Phonetics (Copenhagen: Alfabeta).

Sinell, Jack (2010) Conversation analysis: An Introduction (Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell)

Trask, R.L. (1995) Language: The Basics (London: Routledge) (updated version in 2004)