Beschreibung:If one takes an English Grammar book, one might get the impression that all of “English” is in there. However, no language fits into one book. That’s because of three simple – or rather complex - reasons:
1. language varies on all levels 2. language changes, and 3. language conveys much more than just the meaning of the words used.
In this project-based seminar you will take a closer look at a specific language variation phenomenon, learn about it, and analyze it over the course of the semester.
We will start out by developing and deepening our basic knowledge of the study of variation and change: how to observe language (change), methods for studying language use, data analysis and data interpretation. Many of this is based in the field of variationist sociolinguistics.
After this general introduction, it is your turn to find a variable you’d like to study in more detail. In a study group, you will be conducting a preliminary analysis over the course of the semester and present your findings to the other students in the final weeks of the seminar.