- UCAS course code
- QR15
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Early clearing information
This course is available through clearing for home and international applicants
If you already have your exam results, meet the entry requirements, and are not holding an offer from a university or college, then you may be able to apply to this course.
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Bachelor of Arts (BA)
BA Linguistics and Portuguese
Investigate the science of language and develop skills to thrive in a Portuguese-speaking environment.
Duration: 4 years
Year of entry: 2025
UCAS course code: QR15 / Institution code: M20
- Key features:
Study abroad
Study with a language
- Typical A-level offer: ABB
- Typical contextual A-level offer: BBC
- Refugee/care-experienced offer: BBC
- Typical International Baccalaureate offer: 34 points overall with 6,6,5 at HL
Course unit details:
History and Varieties of English
| Unit code | LELA10342 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 20 |
| Unit level | Level 1 |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 2 |
| Available as a free choice unit? | Yes |
Overview
The study of the English language is a study of many varieties of English, historical, regional, social and stylistic. The aim of this course unit is to introduce you to some of these varieties, explore their individual linguistic features, how these varieties developed in the history of English and what factors motivate contemporary variation and change. We will study varieties of English, both within and outside of the British Isles, and discuss how geopolitical, cultural and social developments have shaped and continue to shape the sounds, vocabulary, orthography and grammar of English.
As part of this unit, you will learn some of the fundamental concepts and research methods in historical linguistics, sociolinguistics, dialectology and World English(es).
This course is a pre-requisite for LELA2040X The Changing English Language and LELA2050X Variationist Sociolinguistics.
Aims
The module aims to:
- Demonstrate how the English language varies historically, geographically, socially and across different contexts of use in terms of sounds, vocabulary, orthography and grammar
- Discuss the links between historical, geopolitical and socio-cultural context and language variation and change
- Provide a practical introduction to resources and methods for the study of language variation and change
- Introduce students to some of the major varieties of English
Syllabus
Historical varieties of English, such as Old English, Middle English and early Modern English
Regional varieties of English, including dialects in the UK, US, and Southern Hemisphere English
English as a global language
Varieties in different context of usage: register and genre
The role of socio-economic status in language variation and change
Teaching and learning methods
1x2-hr lecture per week
1x 1-hr seminar per week
Optional individual consultation sessions during office hours
E-Learning: All course materials, including lecture handouts, seminar worksheets, and course and assessment info will be made available on Canvas.
Knowledge and understanding
By the end of this course students will:
- Be able to identify and describe linguistic features of a range of historical, regional and social varieties of English, including the major historical and current regional varieties of English
- Understand and explain the historical, geopolitical and socio-cultural context in which different varieties of English developed and which motivates contemporary variation
- Be aware of the role of social factors such as socio-economic status in language variation and change
- Have a thorough knowledge of the history of the English language from the 5th to the 21st centuries
- Have acquired fundamental concepts of historical linguistics, sociolinguistics and dialectology to be ready for detailed study in years 2 and 3
Intellectual skills
By the end of this course students will be able to:
- Read and understand linguistic discussions of variation and change in English and apply their findings to real language data
- Competently discuss linguistic features of English in the areas of phonetics, orthography, vocabulary and grammar
- Support an argument using evidence and reasoning
- Summarise and present findings in a style appropriate for linguistics
Practical skills
By the end of this course students will be able to:
- Recognise linguistic markers of diachronic, regional, social and stylistic variation in linguistic data
- Work with real language data
- Work with a range of sources used in the study of historical, regional and other varieties of English
Transferable skills and personal qualities
By the end of this course students will be able to:
- Study and learn independently, manage their time · confidently interpret new data and explain their analysis
- Support an argument using evidence and reasoning
- Summarise and present findings in a clear and concise way
- Identify and contextualise different (current) varieties of English
- Talk about diversity of English in a linguistically-informed way
Employability skills
- Analytical skills
- This unit equips students with skills of data analysis that can be applied in a wide range of contexts: students learn how to look for patterns and structures, and interpret change in terms of social and structural pressures and constraints. Students will learn how to explain and justify their analyses verbally and in written form. These skills are relevant for all jobs that require data analysis and reporting.
- Other
- Students who go on to become teachers of English will have acquired the knowledge about earlier stages of English and about changes affecting English that forms the backbone for teaching modules on language change and variation.
Assessment methods
Assessment Task | Formative or Summative | Weighting |
Midterm Test | Formative and Summative | 30% |
Final Exam | Summative | 70% |
Feedback methods
Feedback Method | Formative or Summative |
Written general and personal feedback on mid-term test, seminar session dedicated to global feedback and discussion of answers followed by opportunity to discuss personal feedback during office hours | Formative and Summative |
Personal feedback on final exam on request | Summative |
Verbal feedback during seminar exercises and discussion | Formative |
Recommended reading
Van Gelderen, Elly van. 2014. A history of the English language. Revised edition. Amsterdam: John Benjamins.
McIntyre, D. 2020. History of English: A Resource Book for Students. Abingdon/New York: Routledge.
Van Herk, G. 2012. What is Sociolinguistics? Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell
And additional readings
Study hours
| Scheduled activity hours | |
|---|---|
| Assessment written exam | 2 |
| Lectures | 22 |
| Seminars | 11 |
| Independent study hours | |
|---|---|
| Independent study | 165 |
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| Tine Breban | Unit coordinator |