The study of language and linguistics opens up the world of human relationships and understanding, from language acquisition to cultural attitudes to language. To understand the human mind, human relations or cultural difference for example, we need to understand how language operates.
In this degree you will build a detailed knowledge and understanding of language and linguistics, studying the relationship between language and society, and the structure, workings and theories of language including language acquisition and cognition.
On completing this degree, you will have advanced skills in research and linguistic analysis and detailed knowledge of analytical concepts and theories of language as well as transferable skills relevant to a wide range of careers.
This course provides you with an in-depth understanding of the nature of language in general and the English language in particular. In the first year you will be introduced to the techniques for analysing the structure and sound system of language and to questions about how language communicates meaning, how language is acquired and why language varies in different social contexts. In the second and final years you will have the opportunity to study history and diversity in English, syntax and other specialised areas of linguistics such as sociolinguistics, morphology, phonology and the study of meaning, as well as the option to study a modern foreign language. In your second year, you can opt to spend either one or two semesters in a partner institution, including the EU (Erasmus exchange), Australia, the US and Canada.
YEAR 1
In year 1, modules provide a thorough grounding in core skills for language analysis, including phonetic transcription and grammatical analysis. You will also explore social and psychological aspects of language, and the elements of research methods in linguistics.
Structure of English
Taking a descriptive approach to the grammar of English, this module gives you a grounding in how to describe some of the most important grammatical features of the language. You will learn how to identify and classify grammatical categories and functions, and how to analyse the structure of phrases and sentences.
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Methodology in Linguistics
This module introduces you to the methodologies of linguistics and language analysis. You will be introduced to different types of linguistic evidence, the techniques of linguistic analysis, and to the conventions used for presentation of data and analyses in linguistics. Classes are interactive and include a variety of activities to help you practise new skills.
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Sounds of Language
This module introduces you to the sounds of speech, syllable structure and word stress, as applied to English. You will learn how to describe and classify consonants and vowels, transcribe speech sounds, and identify and analyse syllable structure and word stress.
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Language, Mind and Society
This module introduces you to language as a social and cognitive phenomenon. You will examine the complex relationship between language and society as well as children's language development and their socialisation into their linguistic communities.
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Analysing Words and Sentences
What are the 'building blocks' of language? Following on from Structure of English, this module explores the structure and internal organisation of English and other languages in greater depth. You will gain practical experience in analysing words, phrases, and sentences.
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Meaning in Language
This module will introduce you to the study of meaning in language and its role in communication. It addresses such questions as why some sentences can be interpreted in more than one way, and how context affects the way in which sentences are understood.
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YEAR 2
In year 2 you will take two core modules and four optional modules, splitting your study between linguistics modules and English language modules. You also have the opportunity to study a foreign language. This would replace one of your option modules in either English language or linguistics.
Core module: History and Diversity in English
You will be introduced to key periods in the history of the English language and characteristic features of the language in these periods. You will explore language change with reference to the different levels of language (namely grammar and syntax, lexis and phonology, and orthography) and explore regional variation and change in English dialects.
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Core module: Syntax
This module will give you a solid theoretical and practical knowledge of how languages are systematically alike and different in their basic sentence structure. Drawing on data from English and other languages you will gain practical experience in forming and testing linguistic hypotheses and rules.
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Optional modules may include:
Sociolinguistics
In this module you will examine different approaches to studying language variation and change. You will examine different outcomes of language contact situations, and discuss how the growing recognition of the complex nature of socioeconomic class, ethnicity, age and gender has triggered important shifts in variationist research design and analysis.
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Phonology
In this module you will study key concepts, principles and techniques of contemporary phonological theory. You will learn how to apply theoretical concepts and techniques in phonological theory to the analysis of segmental and prosodic data from a wide variety of languages.
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Semantics
Communication is possible because languages are meaningful. This module looks at key aspects of meaning in language, such as the interpretation of nouns, verbs, and adjectives in English and other languages, and how the literal meaning of complex expressions can be predicted from the literal meanings of their parts and the way in which they are combined.
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Corpus Approaches to Language
This module introduces you to the idea and uses of a corpus – a collection of texts, stored on computer, and sampled to represent different types or varieties of a language. Because a corpus can be easily searched by computer, it offers a unique way of exploring language as it is actually used – which doesn’t always match our predictions, or even previous research.
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Attitudes to English
This module will trace the origins and development of prescriptive attitudes and linguistic insecurity, and the extent to which these ideas are relevant to contemporary users of English. Topics include Received Pronunciation, grammar and ‘morality’, and politically correct language.
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University Wide Language Programme
You have the option to study a modern foreign language through the UWLP, which is practical in content and available at four levels (stages): Stage 1 (complete beginner), Stage 2 (Grade A*-C at GCSE), Stage 3 (Grade C or below at AS level), Stage 4 (Grade D or below at A2 level). The lower stages help you cope with everyday situations abroad or when dealing with visitors to this country, and the higher stages enable you to use the language in more professional contexts. Available options include French, Spanish, German, Italian, Mandarin Chinese or Japanese.
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YEAR 3
In year 3, modules are more advanced and you will take two core modules and four optional modules, splitting your study between linguistics modules and English language modules. You also have the opportunity to study a foreign language. This would replace one of your option modules in either English language or linguistics. You can also do a dissertation.
Core module: Change in Contemporary English
This module investigates two kinds of recent change in English: a) change in “established” types of English (e.g. newspaper reports, and fiction) since the mid-20th century; and b) the emergence of new communications media (e.g. text messaging and email). Students use different resources and methods to investigate these developments, and engage critically with theories of change that have been proposed.
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Core module: World Englishes
English is now the most widely spoken language in the world. Its expansion has resulted in unprecedented growth in regional varieties, as well as impact on local languages. The module explores the emergence, characteristics and status of English(es) around the world today, in its different aspects, e.g. historical background vs. contemporary situation, and native speakers’ vs. non-native speakers’ viewpoint.
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OPTION MODULE EXAMPLES (an indicative selection):
Current Approaches to Linguistics
This module looks at some of the most important current approaches to the study of language, including some of the alternative theoretical frameworks and types of evidence used in contemporary linguistics.
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Pragmatics and Cognition
In this module you will gain an understanding of aspects of linguistic communication which result from the interaction of linguistic meaning, context, and principles of human cognition. You will study some of the current theoretical frameworks which aim to explain how utterances are interpreted in context, and apply them in the analysis of data drawn from your own experience in communication.
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Morphology
Languages appear to have a limitless capacity for describing new concepts by resorting to a limited number of word-formation processes. When a new verb, adjective or noun is introduced into a language, speakers know instinctively how to inflect it correctly. This module looks at word formation and inflection in different languages, examines a variety of approaches to morphological theory, and explores the extent to which these approaches can handle different types of word formation and inflection.
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Researching Sociolinguistic Variation
In this module you will learn how to carry out a quantitative study of linguistic variation and change. You will go through all the steps involved in conducting a variationist research project. You will gain experience in collecting, storing, transcribing, coding and analysing vernacular data (with due regard for ethical concern), and write up the results of your analyses for an end-of-term paper.
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The Language of Names
Names are all around us, and this module explores the linguistic structure, history, development and political significance of names and naming, focusing on the UK but with reference to other countries as well. You will have an opportunity to examine the names of people and places in real life and in literary and other creative contexts.
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Dissertation
In this module you will research, plan, structure and coherently present a sustained piece of academic writing (8,000–10,000 words). You will work independently to investigate a topic related to the modules you have followed in linguistics. You will select, interpret and evaluate the knowledge acquired and generate your own ideas and personal response to it.
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University Wide Language Programme
You have the option to study a modern foreign language through the UWLP, which is practical in content and available at four levels (stages): Stage 1 (complete beginner), Stage 2 (Grade A*-C at GCSE), Stage 3 (Grade C or below at AS level), Stage 4 (Grade D or below at A2 level). The lower stages help you cope with everyday situations abroad or when dealing with visitors to this country, and the higher stages enable you to use the language in more professional contexts. Available options include French, Spanish, German, Italian, Mandarin Chinese or Japanese.
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