116-224 Varieties of French

Note

Available as 116-324 at 3rd-year level.

Availability

Credit Points

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Prerequisites

116-115 or 116-202, or equivalent.

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Subject Description

This subject is an introduction to the study of language variation in France and Francophone countries. Different factors of variation are considered: geographical location, social class, occupation, age, sex, register and genre. Regional features of pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary are examined and compared to those of standard language. Within France, special attention is given to Meridional French. Outside France, focus is placed on Quebec French and the linguistic situation in Canada. French-based creoles are also considered, in particular Indian Ocean creoles and the multilingualism of Mauritius. Through French language variation students are introduced to questions of dialectology, the basics of modern sociolinguistic theory and methodology, language planning issues. The teaching of this subject makes extensive use of multimedia resources. Students who complete this subject should: understand that a language (here French) is not monolithic and varies with time, geographical location, socio-economic status, etc.; have gained familiarity with regional varieties in France; be aware of the situation of the French language outside France ('francophonie'); have gained a basic understanding of social dialectology and registers.

Assessment

one 90-minute test (40%); one essay (not more than 1200 words) (40%); practical work and oral presentation equivalent to not more than 2000 words (20%).

Prescribed Texts

• Walter H, Le Français dans tous les sens. R Laffont 1988.