The course provides students with an understanding of the intertwined relationship between language, society, and culture. The course sheds light on the diverse functions that language serves within a given society. It explores how language contributes to the definition, preservation, and expression of group identity and social connections among speakers. Throughout the course, students explore various topics that revolve around the central theme of language in its real social context.
These topics include a comparison between sociolinguistics and formal linguistics, the examination of regional and social dialects, styles, and registers of language, the study of pidgin and Creole languages, the exploration of language variation throughout space/places/regions and change over time, the examination of the relationship between language and culture, and an introduction to the fields of ethnography and ethnomethodology. Upon completing this course, learners should be equipped to:
1) Draw insightful connections and establish relevant parallels between sociolinguistic research conducted in Western contexts, notably the United States and the United Kingdom, and the Algerian setting. This involves recognizing both similarities and distinctions across these diverse sociolinguistic landscapes.
2) Adapt and tailor existing sociolinguistic models and analytical approaches to align with the unique Algerian context. This requires considering the intricate Algerian speech repertoire, encompassing the specific sociolinguistic landscape, language variation patterns, ongoing language changes, prevailing language attitudes, and the interplay between language and socio-political dynamics within Algeria. Special emphasis is placed on understanding the distinct speech community of Tiaret, its linguistic practices, and the factors shaping its sociolinguistic reality.
By accomplishing these objectives, learners will be better equipped to bridge theoretical frameworks with localised contexts, fostering a nuanced understanding of the intricate relationship between language and society within the Algerian milieu.
- Teacher: Ali BERRABAH
This course is designed to provide an introduction to the field of sociolinguistics and give third year students’ appreciations of
the relationship between language and society and language, and culture as well. First, it would highlight the various functions that a
language performs in a society. It
deals with ways in which language serves to define and maintain/preserve group
identity and social
relationships among speakers. Students will learn about a variety of topics dealing with the general
theme of language in its social context. Amongst the main topics that are
included in the course are: How
sociolinguistics is different from formal linguistics, regional
and social dialects, styles and registers, pidgin and Creole languages
- Teacher: Ali BERRABAH
The current lecture provides an overview on the importance of Linguistics as a scientific field that deals with the study of human language.
- Teacher: Yacine Moulai Hacene