This course is a community for discussing and developing knowledge about variationist sociolinguistics. We'll examine the way spoken language varies according to the social characteristics of its speakers. Speech variation according to age, sex, ethnicity, attitude, style, location, time, social status, and network membership will be explored. Quantitative analysis methods will be introduced and the relationship between sociolinguistics and theoretical linguistics will be examined. Readings and activities from the textbooks will be discussed as students develop skills in each step of the variationist sociolinguistic research enterprise. Students must be prepared to participate actively in class and in tutorial and submit weekly assignments on time. It’s a very hands-on class. Prerequisite: LIN251.

Syllabus & assignments for the current semester | Course requirements