ET324: Multilingualism and Culture
Overview
The module critically examines the complex and multilayered relationship between multilingualism, society and culture. Moving beyond narrow notions of multilingualism, as only proficiency or nation-level varieties, the module situates language practices within broader social, political, and ideological frameworks. Multilingualism is explored through the perspective of lived, negotiated, and often contested practices shaped by histories of migration, colonialism, and transnational mobility.
Module aims
Students will engage with cutting-edge research in relevant fields to examine how multilingualism intersects with identity, belonging, as well as issues of in/equality and in/exclusion. We look into how multilingualism operates in institutional and public contexts, such as education, policy, and the workplace as well as everyday and mundane spaces.
Sociocultural practices are considered in tandem with linguistic repertoires, highlighting the ways in which individuals navigate, resist, and, sometimes, transform dominant ideologies and norms. Case studies and empirical material from diverse geopolitical contexts are used to explore the lived experience of bi/multilingualism, including issues of gatekeeping, linguistic commodification, and the symbolic capital of languages.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate your understanding of key concepts, terminology, research methods and theories related to the linguistic, psychological and social aspects of multilingualism.
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of issues related to multilingualism and culture.
- Describe and discuss the use of language by multilinguals and in multilingual contexts.
- Critically evaluate theoretical and empirical research in multilingualism.
Learning Experience
Lecture
Core content will be presented during weekly 2-hour lectures.
Seminar
We will meet in a weekly 1-hour small-group seminar to practice and apply course concepts.
Assessment
Essay
2000-word assignment (50%)
Examination
2-hour written examination (50%)
Preparatory Reading
- Bhatia, T. K., & Ritchie, W. C. (Eds.). The handbook of bilingualism and multilingualism (2nd edn.). Malden: Blackwell.