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. Taught in Spanish.
Reflective Narrative:
SPAN 323 taught by Dr. Rebecca Pozzi goes over a large amount of information regarding linguistic attributes a Hispanic individual may have depending on where they live, who they talk with, location of where they live, and their economic status etc. A means of achieving MLO 2, throughout the semester we review the perspective of different individuals towards certain accents or languages, and how this may affect how people speak or view themselves. Taking into account the environment in which we grew up has a profound impact on the way we speak, and how others interact with it. In many cases people believe that there is only one language that should be spoken and that all other ways of speaking are simply not useful or competing and ignore their existence. This course tries to help us see the necessity in undressing why there are so many accents and language variations. It may also help us to be better and take into account how special the way we speak is. It is an eye opening course that tries to put into our heads that there is no correct way of speaking for any language. That each language spoken is valid, that as long as we understand the basics of the language enough to have a simple conversation then that's fine as is. Nobody has the right to tell you that the way you speak is wrong, speak in whatever way you can. We also get to see what certain groups of people do in order to make sure the language they speak is not forgotten to time, and have support groups that teach you the language in order to keep it alive. The way we interpret our own linguistic capabilities will help determine who we associate ourselves with at every turn of our lives, it shows the world, “Hey! This is who I am!” and that's fine. In order to not be embarrassed if we cannot pronounce a word clearly enough and not be ridiculed for it.
Assignment:
Major Learning Outcome Fulfillment: