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72925-01 - Lecture: English Dialectology (2 CP)
| Semester | fall semester 2024 |
| Course frequency | Once only |
| Lecturers | Daniel Schreier (daniel.schreier@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | In this lecture, I will introduce some key topics in dialectology. Starting with a historical account of the discipline (from the compilation of large dialect atlases in the 19th to the publication of (online) electronic ones in the early 21st century), it discusses principles of fieldwork and data collection and presents how researchers arrive at the final product in the form of dialect maps. Special reference is given to prominent figures in the field and their work, to patterns and agents of diffusion (wave vs. cascade models) and to the historical manifestation of dialectology, as in the formation and the emergence of extraterritorial English varieties, largely shaped by dialect contact processes. We will provide a thorough introduction to the dialect landscape of Great Britain and North America, including current change processes, and will also look at public perceptions of dialect variation, so-called perceptual dialectology or folk linguistics, to get a further understanding of socio-cognitive aspects of dialectology. |
| Learning objectives | 1. Understand the concept of dialects and their significance in the English language. 2. Identify and differentiate between major regional dialects within the English-speaking world, such as British English, American English, Australian English, etc. 3. Analyze the linguistic features that distinguish various English dialects, including pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and syntax. 4. Explore the historical and sociolinguistic factors that have influenced the development and spread of different English dialects. 5. Examine the role of language variation and dialects in shaping individual and group identities, as well as their impact on communication and social interactions. 6. Evaluate the attitudes and perceptions associated with different English dialects, including issues related to language standardization, prestige, and discrimination |
| Bibliography | - Boberg, Charles, John Nerbonne & Dominic Watts (eds.). 2018. The Handbook of Dialectology. Oxford: Wiley. - Britain, David. 2021. Grammatical variation in the contemporary spoken English of England. In Andy Kirkpatrick (ed.), The Handbook of World Englishes (2nd ed.). London: Routledge. 32-58. - Chambers, J.K & Peter Trudgill. Dialectology (2nd ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. |
| Weblink | ADAM |
| Admission requirements | None |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | Online, optional |
| Course auditors welcome |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Thursday | 08.15-10.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 001 |
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday 19.09.2024 | 08.15-10.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 117 |
| Thursday 26.09.2024 | 08.15-10.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 001 |
| Thursday 03.10.2024 | 08.15-10.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 001 |
| Thursday 10.10.2024 | 08.15-10.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 001 |
| Thursday 17.10.2024 | 08.15-10.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 001 |
| Thursday 24.10.2024 | 08.15-10.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 001 |
| Thursday 31.10.2024 | 08.15-10.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 001 |
| Thursday 07.11.2024 | 08.15-10.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 001 |
| Thursday 14.11.2024 | 08.15-10.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 001 |
| Thursday 21.11.2024 | 08.15-10.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 001 |
| Thursday 28.11.2024 | 08.15-10.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 001 |
| Thursday 05.12.2024 | 08.15-10.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 001 |
| Thursday 12.12.2024 | 08.15-10.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 001 |
| Thursday 19.12.2024 | 08.15-10.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 001 |
| Wednesday 29.01.2025 | 08.00-09.30 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 114 |
| Modules |
Modul: Advanced English Linguistics (Bachelor's degree subject: English) Modul: English Linguistics (Master's degree subject: English) Modul: Forschungspraxis und Vertiefung (Master's degree program: Language and Communication) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft BA (Bachelor's degree subject: English) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft BA (Bachelor's degree subject: German Language and Literature) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft BA (Bachelor's degree subject: French Language and Literature) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft BA (Bachelor's degree subject: Spanish Language and Literature) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft BA (Bachelor's degree subject: Italian Language and Literature) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft BA (Bachelor's degree subject: Nordic Philology (Start of studies before 01.08.2022)) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft BA (Bachelor's degree subject: Nordic Philology) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: Slavic Studies) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: English) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: German Language and Literature) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: French Language and Literature) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: Spanish Language and Literature) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: Italian Language and Literature) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: Latin Philology) Modul: Interphilologie: Sprachwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: Nordic Philology (Start of studies before 01.08.2022)) Modul: Sprache und Gesellschaft (Master's degree program: Language and Communication) |
| Assessment format | record of achievement |
| Assessment details | Week 13 (December 12 2024): Short essay, max. 400 words, two questions offered, a general topic discussed prominently in the lecture, Weeks 1-12 |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: not required |
| Repeat examination | one repetition, repetition counts |
| Scale | Pass / Fail |
| Repeated registration | no repetition |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, studadmin-philhist@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Fachbereich Englische Sprach- und Literaturwissenschaft |