Introduction to Sociolinguistics

1. komponenta

Lecture type	Total
Lectures	20
Seminar	10

* Load is given in academic hour (1 academic hour = 45 minutes)

The course provides an introduction to sociolinguistics, i.e. to the study of why we speak the way we do, and the social factors that influence our linguistic decisions. Key issues of the complex interaction between language and society are explored, including register, genres, styles, code-switching, diglossia, bilingualism, language and power, language and identity, communication across cultures, language change, language policy and planning, all of which are unified by the common denominator called language variability and diversity. Considerable attention is devoted to the ways in which spoken and written language may be interpreted depending on the context and expectations of the participants.


1. Key notions in sociolinguistics
2. Register, genres and styles
3. Code-switching, diglossia and bilingualism
4. Culture, communication and interaction
5. Politeness, indirectness, naming and addressing across cultures
6. Communication across cultures
7. How and why languages change
8. Language and globalization
9. World Englishes
10. Language and identity
11. Language and power
12. Language policy and planning (LPP)
13. Sociolinguistic situation in Croatia
14. Student presentations on selected topics
15. Review and evaluation of work in the course

1. Bowe, Heather + Martin, Kylie; Communication Across Cultures; Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (2007),
2. Coulmas, Florian; Sociolinguistics: The Study of Speaker s Choice; Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (2008),

KOM-dipl (4397): Izborni kolegiji - Regular studij - Communication Studies

KOM-dipl (4397): Izborni kolegiji - Regular studij - Communication Studies

KOM-dipl (4397): Izborni kolegiji - Regular studij - Communication Studies