SPAN 323: Hispanic Sociolinguistics
MLO Met:
MLO 2: Linguistics
MLO 2: Linguistics
Course Description:
This course provides an introduction to basic concepts in sociolinguistics, focusing on the symbolic value of language as an expression of group identity based on region, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic class, age, and other ways of defining group affiliation. The course also surveys topics such as linguistic variation, language contact, language attitudes, and language identity.
This course provides an introduction to basic concepts in sociolinguistics, focusing on the symbolic value of language as an expression of group identity based on region, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic class, age, and other ways of defining group affiliation. The course also surveys topics such as linguistic variation, language contact, language attitudes, and language identity.
Course Narrative:
During the Spring 2020 semester, I took the Hispanic Sociolinguistics (SPAN 323) course to fulfill the 2nd Major Learning Outcome (MLO), which requires students to develop a fundamental knowledge of concepts in the fields of Hispanic and Applied Linguistics.
Although sociolinguistics resulted to be a difficult subject for me, I learned a lot in this course. One of the things that I have found the most invaluable through my major courses is something I learned through my linguistic courses: there are many dialects and variations of the Spanish language depending on region and many other factors. Learning the importance of mindfulness about other people’s variations and dialects became very clear to me throughout the course, however, I was able to put this into practice by preparing a small research paper based on a sociolinguistic interview. In addition to learning that age affects language acquisition, it has taught me to be more understanding with the way people speak, whether it is English or Spanish. I’ve learned that just because I speak one way, not everyone will speak as I do.
The knowledge acquired throughout the course resulted very useful in future courses. For example, when considering that different variations of the same language use different words for one object allowed me to be more open minded when reviewing literature. For example, in the course SPAN 304: Introduction to Hispanic Literature, I was extra careful when reviewing literature of other Spanish speaking countries other than the United States and Mexico to ensure I did not confuse any meanings. Given that the themes learned in sociolinguistics can be applied more broadly, I hope to continue to be mindful of regional differences when speaking to different audiences, both in English and Spanish.
During the Spring 2020 semester, I took the Hispanic Sociolinguistics (SPAN 323) course to fulfill the 2nd Major Learning Outcome (MLO), which requires students to develop a fundamental knowledge of concepts in the fields of Hispanic and Applied Linguistics.
Although sociolinguistics resulted to be a difficult subject for me, I learned a lot in this course. One of the things that I have found the most invaluable through my major courses is something I learned through my linguistic courses: there are many dialects and variations of the Spanish language depending on region and many other factors. Learning the importance of mindfulness about other people’s variations and dialects became very clear to me throughout the course, however, I was able to put this into practice by preparing a small research paper based on a sociolinguistic interview. In addition to learning that age affects language acquisition, it has taught me to be more understanding with the way people speak, whether it is English or Spanish. I’ve learned that just because I speak one way, not everyone will speak as I do.
The knowledge acquired throughout the course resulted very useful in future courses. For example, when considering that different variations of the same language use different words for one object allowed me to be more open minded when reviewing literature. For example, in the course SPAN 304: Introduction to Hispanic Literature, I was extra careful when reviewing literature of other Spanish speaking countries other than the United States and Mexico to ensure I did not confuse any meanings. Given that the themes learned in sociolinguistics can be applied more broadly, I hope to continue to be mindful of regional differences when speaking to different audiences, both in English and Spanish.
Relevant Course Work: