Overview

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 Strategy

-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

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

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

• 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.

• 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.

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