English - Free topic A: English around the world

The course introduces students to key sociolinguistic theories and methods through studies of the role and status of English in different countries around the world: From debates about English Only in the US to the balance between English and Irish in Ireland. From the status of English in former British colonies such as Australia and India to English in Asian countries such as Japan and Mongolia. And from the prominence of English in Denmark to the very different role played by English in Southern and Eastern European countries.

Each week focuses on a new setting and introduces students to a new theoretical perspective within sociolinguistics, including sociophonetics, language attitudes, language ideologies, language policy, language variation and change, language and power, language and ethnicity, and language and identity.

Students will also be introduced to sociolinguistic methods of data collection and data analysis, including digital methods. As part of the portfolio exam students will work on their own empirical projects, drawing on the theories and methods they have been introduced to during the course.