This advanced level course in sociolinguistics aims to consolidate knowledge and skills acquired in
Year 2 by thoroughly exploring the social correlates of language variation and change. The first
part of this module will move beyond the variationist paradigm and will investigate systematic and
inherent variation in synchronic and diachronic linguistics by exploring the complex interrelationship
between the macro-societal and micro-interactional levels. In the second part of this
module, students will be encouraged to explore variability at different levels of the linguistic
system by looking at the impact of issues such as mobility, contact and the internet in shaping
current sociolinguistic theory.
