Brief description

This module covers three main areas of research on bilingualism: historical accounts of bilingual communities; studies of contemporary aspects of bilingualism and bilingual literacy in local community contexts; and, research on codeswitching in bilingual discourse. In covering each area, the focus will be on the theories underpinning the research and on the views about `speakers? and `communities? implicit in these theories. Examples of recent research in bilingual settings in Wales, in other areas of the British Isles, in Europe, in Canada, the USA, in Africa and Asia will be chosen according to the interests of those taking the module.

Aims of the module

• To provide an introduction to the study of bilingualism in its social context

• To examine the relationship between bilingualism in its spoken mode and bilingual literacy practices

• To develop an awareness of the issues (of theory and method) which lie behind different approaches to research on bilingualism

• To consider the implications of recent research findings for language policy developments in bilingual settings

Syllabus

The lectures cover the following themes and topic areas:

Bilingualism in everyday lives and local community contexts

• Bilingualism, diglossia and domains of language use
• Social networks, language choices and identities
• Codeswitching: social meanings in bilingual conversations
• Bilingual literacy practices as social practices
• Bilingual literacy events

Bilingualism embedded in the history of communities

• Linguistic `markets', language and symbolic power
• Language shift in bilingual communities
• Reversing language shift: language revitalisation.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:

• Show a critical understanding of different approaches to the study of bilingualism and bilingual literacy
• Demonstrate an ability to place their own experience of living and studying in a bilingual university and a bilingual community within a wider research and policy context

Reading Lists