This seminar explores the concept of language attitudes: we hold opinions and feelings connected to languages and language varieties – partly without being aware of them – and these attitudes influence our interactions with speakers of particular languages / varieties. The major focus of the class lies on attitudes to English vis-à-vis other languages (esp. in multilingual settings) and on attitudes to different varieties of English. We will look at key theoretical concepts for language attitude research and explore quantitative and qualitative research methods that have been used to analyse language attitudes. We will analyse different kinds of attitude data (e.g., from questionnaires and interviews) with the help of statistical analysis and different qualitative methods of analysis. You will design and conduct individual attitude research projects for your term papers.
- Lehrende/r: Johanna Hartmann