Last modified: 31 May 2022 13:30
As linguists we have a lot to say about language, but so too do ‘normal people’. Differences between linguists’ and non-linguists’ views can raise a question of ownership: who decides what’s right? Moreover, beliefs about language and the ‘correct’ way to use it often serve as a proxy for larger prejudices, sometimes with profound social consequences. This course explores the source of prescriptive attitudes to language and their influence in linguistic spheres and beyond.
| Study Type | Undergraduate | Level | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Second Term | Credit Points | 30 credits (15 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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This course will explore the source of prescriptive attitudes to language and their influence in linguistic spheres and beyond. We will trace the history of linguistic complaints in English and other languages, taking into account contemporary discussion of standardisation and the ideologies behind it. Students will have the opportunity to discuss the influence of prescriptivism in education, media, and social structure, among other areas. We will critically examine the way that laypeople’s perception of language differs from linguists’ and the consequences of this divergence, considering whether and how linguists should bridge this divide.
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 20 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 26,27,28,29,30,31,32,33,34,35,36 | Feedback Weeks | 39 | |
| Feedback |
Students will be provided with a comment through the Blackboard platform, as well as oral feedback from the tutor throughout the course if desired. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Analyse | Be able to identify the influence of language attitudes and prescriptivism in public discourse. |
| Conceptual | Apply | Be able to articulate arguments against prescriptivism and identify alternatives. |
| Factual | Understand | Have an understanding of the history of language complaints in English and other languages. |
| Factual | Understand | Be aware of the ideological underpinnings of the drive for standardisation and its consequences. |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 30 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 32 | Feedback Weeks | 35 | |
| Feedback |
Feedback will be provided by tutors in written form through the online coursework submission platform Turnitin. |
|||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Analyse | Be able to identify the influence of language attitudes and prescriptivism in public discourse. |
| Conceptual | Apply | Be able to articulate arguments against prescriptivism and identify alternatives. |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 37 | Feedback Weeks | 40 | |
| Feedback |
To be submitted after final teaching week Feedback will be provided by tutors in written form through the online coursework submission platform Turnitin. - Within 3 weeks of submission |
Word Count | 2500 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Analyse | Be able to identify the influence of language attitudes and prescriptivism in public discourse. |
| Factual | Understand | Be aware of the ideological underpinnings of the drive for standardisation and its consequences. |
| Factual | Understand | Have an understanding of the history of language complaints in English and other languages. |
There are no assessments for this course.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 100 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Feedback will be provided by tutors in written form through the online coursework submission platform Turnitin. |
Word Count | 2500 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
|
|
||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Factual | Understand | Have an understanding of the history of language complaints in English and other languages. |
| Factual | Understand | Be aware of the ideological underpinnings of the drive for standardisation and its consequences. |
| Conceptual | Analyse | Be able to identify the influence of language attitudes and prescriptivism in public discourse. |
| Conceptual | Apply | Be able to articulate arguments against prescriptivism and identify alternatives. |
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