This course starts from the observation that language varies, but not in a haphazard fashion, and that linguistic variance can be correlated with a number of situational constraints. The ability to make the proper linguistic choices in accordance with the demands of the situation is part of a language user's communicative competence.

Part I of the course, "the Toolbox," seeks to provide the student with the analytical instruments necessary to assess and describe both the nonlinguistic constraints and the corresponding observable linguistic features. At the same time, it seeks to expand the student's foreign-language repertoire by means of the study of real examples in a variety of genres, registers, styles, and modes.  Due attention will be paid to mea final unit, the instruments from the "toolbox" will be employed to approach and understand the correlation between situation and style in a number of varieties of present-day English, such as the English of advertising, BBC world news, headlines, political rhetoric and religion.

Students are expected to sit 1) a written exam on and 2) an oral exam at the end of the course. Botrh exams require knowledge of theory and practical skills.

The new coursebook ("PRISM") is available at the PUB bookshop and online.

The course-related PowerPoint slide shows can be downloaded from the Virtual University website.

 

OTHER RECOMMENDED READINGS :

 

Crystal, D. & D. Davy: Investigating English Style London: Longman, 1969.

Gregory, M. & Carroll, S. : Language and Situation: Language Varieties and their Social Contexts. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul (Language and Society Series) 1978.

Hayakawa, S.I. : Language in Thought and Action. N.Y.: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.

Hewings, A. & Hewings, M.: Grammar and Context. Oxon : Routledge, 2005.

Hickey, L. (ed.): The Pragmatics of Style. London & N.Y. : Routledge, 1990.

Grice, H.P. : "Logic and Conversation", in Cole, P. & Morgan, J.L. (eds.): Speech Acts (Syntax and Semantics, vol. 3). N.Y., Academic Press, 1975, pp. 41-58.

Searle, J. : Speech Acts. An Essay in the Philosophy of Language. Cambridge U.P., 1969.

Searle, J. : "Indirect Speech Acts" in: Cole, P. & Morgan, J.L. (eds.): Speech Acts  (Syntax and Semantics, vol. 3). N.Y., Academic Press, 1975, pp. 59-82.

Slosberg Andersen, E. : Speaking with Style: The Sociolinguistic Skills of Children. London, Routledge, 1990.

Trudgill, P. : Sociolinguistics. Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1981.

Wardhaugh, R. : How Conversation Works. Oxford, Blackwell, 1985.