This course introduces Variational Pragmatics as a comparatively new subfield of linguistics, which brings together insights from several exciting and dynamic fields of linguistic enquiry, such as sociolinguistics, interactional and variationist linguistics. We will thus explore the effects of different geographical and social factors on language in interaction. In doing so, we will touch on important areas of the study of language in its contexts of use, including the sociolinguistic factors of gender, class, age or ethnicity, as well as engaging with the global context of English as an International Language (EIL), which involves the comparison of different (global and local) varieties of English today. We will also examine the pragmatic variation of learner language, particularly the use and development of pragmatic markers used by second language learners and the implications of Variational Pragmatics for Global Englishes Language Teaching (GELT).
- Dozent/in: Christine Simone Sing