Sociolinguistics

SYLLABUS

In this lecture, I present the syllabus of my course for Semester 5 Module called Sociolinguistics. I introduce the main topics and concepts to be covered in my following lectures. The following amazing video complements my explanation of the concepts to be presented afterwards.

SCOPE OF SOCIOLINGUISTICS

In this lecture, I discuss the following topics about sociolinguistics:

*What do sociolinguists study?

*What determines language use?

*What is variety/code?

*What is the meaning of bilingualism?

*What is individual bilingualism?

*What is societal bilingualism?

*What is a first language?

*What is a second language?

*What is a foreign language?

*What is diglossia?

DIGLOSSIA

In this e-lecture, I discuss Ferguson's classical article called "Diglossia" published in 1959. I define what is Diglossia. Then I go through its main features as introduced in his article: namely:

*Function

*Prestige

*Literary heritage

*Acquisition

*Standardization

*Stability

*Grammar

*Lexicon

*Phonology

Then I go through Fishman's "Extended Diglossia". Finally I present the versions onto which diglossia can develop according to some sociolinguists. These are Triglossia (Mkifili, 1978) (Youssi, 1995) and Poliglossia (Platt, 1977).

Language Choice and Code-Switching

Key areas/concepts:

*Language choice in communities

*Language choice among individuals: code-switching

*Social factors invoked in code switching

*Code switching in education

*Attitudes to code-switching

LANGUAGE, DIALECT, VERNACULAR, ACCENT, LINGUA FRANCA

In this te-lecture, I explain what is meant by a language and by different “categories” of language such as, a vernacular, a lingua-franca, etc. I also discuss the distinctions between accent and dialect. All of these concepts are considered with particular reference to our Moroccan and Arab context.

Objectives
By the end of this session you should:
1. Understand major distinctions between types of language;
2. Understand the difference between a dialect and an accent.

Key areas/concepts
*Language, dialect and accent;
*Standard languages & standardization;
*Official languages;
*Vernacular languages;
*Lingua francas;

LANGUAGE SHIFT AND DEATH

In this session, I discuss how and why languages shift and sometimes disappear or “die”. I also look into the factors which makes one language stronger than the others at different times. 

Objectives

By the end of this session you should be able to:

1. Explain how and why languages shift, die, revive and remain vital.

2. Suggest ways to resolve the conflict between the need for world-wide communication and language preservation.

Key concepts 

*What is ‘Language shift’?

* What are the factors contributing to language shift? 

*What is language death? 

*What kills a language? 

*How can a language revive? 

*What keeps a language vital? 

*How can a minority language be maintained?