Module QXL-3372:
Welsh Linguistics

Module Facts

Run by School of Arts, Culture and Language

20.000 Credits or 10.000 ECTS Credits

Semester 2

Organiser: Dr Peredur Webb-Davies

Overall aims and purpose

This is an English-medium module in which students are given the opportunity to study important linguistic aspects of the Welsh language. It is ideal for students who have always wanted to learn about Welsh linguistics but have not yet had the chance. It requires no previous knowledge of Welsh.

In this module, the Welsh language will be discussed in structural, sociolinguistic and historical terms, in both a descriptive and theoretical fashion, and students will consider issues such as: What are the notable grammatical features of Welsh, and how do these differ from other languages, such as English? What are the origins of Welsh, and how has it changed (in terms of structure and use) over the centuries? How many people speak Welsh, and why? How is contemporary Welsh used in its various domains and styles, and how does it vary across different groups of speakers? What is the role and impact today of Welsh in media, new media, technology, education, and so on? What are the attitudes of speakers and non-speakers of Welsh to the language and its use in culture? How is Welsh used outside of Wales? What is the future of Welsh?

Students do not need to be Welsh speakers to take this module, although Welsh speakers (of any level) are welcome to take the module and deepen their knowledge of the language. (Note: Students who have already taken Welsh-medium modules in linguistics in years 1 and 2 will experience some overlap in content if they choose this module.)

Course content

Topics covered in this module will include topics such as the following:

  • The history of Welsh, from a linguistic and socio-historical point of view
  • The grammar of contemporary Welsh (e.g. morphosyntax, morphology, phonology, vocabulary)
  • Linguistic variation in contemporary spoken Welsh
  • Initial consonant mutation - rules and usage
  • Welsh-English bilingualism and its reflexes (e.g. code-switching)
  • Attitudes to the Welsh language, both historical and contemporary
  • The Welsh language in education
  • Language change in Welsh
  • Minority language maintenance and the future of Welsh.

Assessment Criteria

threshold

D: Basic grasp of key issues pertaining to Welsh linguistics. Limited ability to analyse and understand linguistic issues in their context, drawing on some existing research and personal experience. Makes basic use of academic writing style and shows limited ability in presenting relevant ideas and concepts in written and oral form. Basic ability in comparing the linguistics of Welsh with other languages and contexts.

good

B: Good grasp of key issues pertaining to Welsh linguistics. Shows an ability to analyse and understand linguistic issues maturely in their context, drawing at length on existing research and personal experience. Makes good use of academic writing style and is effective at presenting relevant ideas and concepts in written and oral form. Good ability in comparing the linguistics of Welsh with other languages and contexts.

excellent

A: Excellent grasp of all issues pertaining to Welsh linguistics. Shows exceptional ability to analyse and understand linguistic issues maturely and sensitively in their context, drawing extensively and effectively on existing research and personal experience. Makes excellent use of academic writing style and is extremely effective at presenting relevant ideas and concepts in written and oral form. Exceptional and insightful ability in comparing the linguistics of Welsh with other languages and contexts.

Learning outcomes

  1. Students will know how to compare linguistic aspects of the Welsh language with other languages they know.

  2. Students will be able to present arguments and/or analyses of Welsh linguistics in a clear, concise and sophisticated manner both in writing and orally.

  3. Students will be able to discuss general aspects of Welsh linguistics based on in-class discussions, presentations, and personal reading in the field.

  4. Students will be able to critically review and summarise the literature dealing with a specific issue of Welsh linguistics covered in this module.

  5. Students will be able to identify key issues in Welsh linguistic theory, and will be able to formulate pertinent hypotheses and arguments based on the knowledge they acquire via the module.

Assessment Methods

Type Name Description Weight
Online assignment involving linguistic analysis and short-form questions 40.00
Essay on a topic in Welsh linguistics 60.00

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours
Private study

Directed Reading - students are given required reading each week (of about 2 hours) on the topic of that week's lecture.

 22
Tutorial

Students are encouraged to see the lecturer on a one-to-one basis during published office hours (or by appointment) to discuss issues with the module content, seek clarification on topics and discussions, and discuss feedback on assessments and class exercises.

 2
Seminar

One 1-hour seminar per fortnight (5 over the 11 weeks).

 5
Private study

In their own time, students will be expected to do further reading, go through materials covered in class and do further research on the topics, and prepare assignments.

 149
Lecture

One 2-hour lecture per week for 11 weeks

 22

Transferable skills

  • Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
  • Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
  • Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
  • Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
  • Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
  • Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sensitevely with others
  • Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
  • Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
  • Teamwork - Able to constructively cooperate with others on a common task, and/or be part of a day-to-day working team
  • Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting
  • Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others

Subject specific skills

  • Understanding of the nature of bi/multilingualism - students will demonstrate familiarity with phenomena and findings relating to the nature of bilingual and multilingual individuals and communities.
  • Writing & scholarly conventions - students will be able to present data, argumentation, findings and references in written form in keeping with the conventions current in language science and English language studies.
  • Analysis & interpretation skills - students will be able to analyse, interpret data accurately, and draw appropriate conclusions based on the application of appropriate analytic and theoretical frameworks available in linguistics and English language studies.
  • Evaluation & reflection - students will be able to critically evaluate a particular position, viewpoint or argument in relation to a specific area of investigation. They will be able to reflect on the efficacy of a particular approach, practice or performance, and moderate these as a consequence in order to achieve specific goals.
  • Awareness of and appreciation for linguistic and cultural differences - students will develop an awareness of and an appreciation for the range and nature of linguistic and cultural diversity
  • Understanding of the nature and organization of language - students will demonstrate familiarity with observations and findings relating to various aspects of linguistic phenomena and organization.
  • Understanding the nature of commonalities and differences across languages - students will demonstrate familiarity with phenomena and findings relating to universals and diversity exhibited by and across languages.
  • Knowledge of the nature of language origins, change and use - students will demonstrate familiarity with phenomena and findings relating to the nature of language origins, the way language changes, and factors involved in and affecting language use.

Resources

Courses including this module

Optional in courses: