Introductory description

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 web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

This is an indicative module outline, offering an overview of the topics that may be covered. Actual sessions may differ depending on research developments and student interests.

• Critical perspectives on multilingualism and cultural diversity
• Language ideologies and the politics of multilingualism/politics of language
• Multilingualism, mobility, and identity in urban settings
• Linguistic landscapes -language in public space
• Multilingualism and power: voice, silence, and symbolic capital
• Designing multilingual fieldwork
• Approaches to mixed methods and multimodal, multilingual data

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 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

Indicative reading list

The Routledge Handbook of Multilingualism. (2023). United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis.
Bhatia, T. K., & Ritchie, W. C. (Eds.). The handbook of bilingualism and multilingualism (2nd edn) (pp.5-25). Chichester/Malden: Wiley-Blackwell.
Wei, L. (Ed.). The bilingualism reader (pp. 3-25). London/New York: Routledge.

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Interdisciplinary

This module demonstrates how the study of multilingualism is inherently interdisciplinary. We can study multilingualism from a number of different perspectives including linguistic, psycholinguistic, sociolinguistic and applied linguistics.

International

In an increasingly globalised and mobilised world, speakers of different languages are interacting with one another more and more, perpetuating local and global multilingualism. It is therefore critical to understand how an individual and/or a society becomes multilingual, how multilingual individuals interact, how the multilingual mind works, and how multilingualism can be supported (or not) through policies and education.

Subject specific skills

• Critical analysis of multilingual practices: Develop the ability to critically analyse multilingualism within diverse cultural, institutional, and digital contexts, employing interdisciplinary theoretical frameworks from sociolinguistics, linguistic anthropology, and discourse studies.
• Evaluation of language policies: Assess the impact of language policies and planning on multilingual communities, considering factors such as identity construction, social inclusion, and power dynamics.
• Application of multiple perspectives: Engage with decolonial and critical perspectives to examine how multilingualism intersects with issues of knowledge production, cultural hegemony, and social justice.

Transferable skills

• Advanced research skills: Design and conduct independent research micro-projects using methods associated with different paradigms and approaches.
• Interdisciplinary synthesis: Integrate insights from various disciplines to construct well-rounded arguments and analyses concerning multilingualism and culture.
• Effective presentation: Articulate complex ideas and research findings clearly and persuasively in both written and oral forms, tailored to diverse audiences.