This Master's course introduces students to the study of multilingualism from a sociolinguistic perspective. It reviews some of the current theories in the area, including translanguaging, and considers methodologies appropriate for the study of the phenomenon. Drawing on insights not only from sociolinguistics, but also other disciplines, such as translation studies and sociology, we will consider the realities of multilingualism both at an individual and collective levels. As such, we will investigate linguistic practices in different contexts, such as for example online communication, business, and education. The implications for policy will also be considered.

10 x 2hr seminars over 10 weeks as scheduled on MyCampus

None

Research report (1000 words) - 25%

Essay (4000 words) - 75%

This course aims to:

■ Introduce students to current research theories and methodologies of multilingualism research from a sociolinguistic perspective;

■ Enable students to identify and evaluate the impact of institutional approaches to multilingualism on individuals and societies;

■ Introduce the concept of multilingualism as an element of social justice;

■ Appraise students of a range of contexts where collective and societal multilingualism are at play.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Examine multilingual practices and appraise different theoretical and analytical approaches used to do so;

■ Assess potential applications of linguistic knowledge to policy and practice;

■ Critically evaluate methodologies used in collecting and analysing multilingual data;

■ Interpret the results of linguistic analysis of spoken and written data.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.