Language and the City (Level 7)

• Credit value: 30 credits at Level 7
• Convenor and tutor: Dr Jackie Jia Lou
• Assessment: a 3500-4000-word research paper (100%)

In this module we explore the various ways in which language and the city are related, including 1) how language is used in urban contexts by speakers from diverse language, social and cultural backgrounds, and 2) how cities are represented and reconstructed through language and discourse. We will draw together studies in urban sociolinguistics around the world as well as research in urban geography which specifically addresses language and communication.

By engaging these readings critically, you will be introduced to key sociolinguistic concepts, such as speech community, linguistic repertoire, identity and representation, power and ideology. You will also learn about a variety of quantitative and qualitative sociolinguistic research methods (e.g. variation analysis, discourse analysis, sociolinguistic interviews, and ethnographic observations) and apply them to examine the use of language(s) in their immediate urban environments.

Indicative syllabus

• Metrolingualism: language in the city
• Narrating the city and urban life 
• Language and the global city
• Language and the city in the media
• The discourse of urban planning and development
• Contesting urban change through language and discourse
• Multimodal and multisensory urban landscapes
• Languages and the city in literature

By the end of this module, you will have:

• an understanding of sociolinguistic theories and concepts
• made connections between sociolinguistic theories and urban theories
• evaluated empirical studies in urban sociolinguistics critically
• contributed to current debates in urban sociolinguistics.