MA in Celtic Studies

Module Descriptor - The Sociolinguistics of the Celtic Languages

Department: Welsh
Module Code: MAAC0720
Level: postgraduate
No of Credits: 20
Methods of assessment: one essay (of approximately 5,000 words)
Teaching Method(s):e-learning, email tutorials and directed learning
Pre-requisite(s): none
Co-requisite(s): none
Incompatibles: none
Medium: Taught through the medium of English or Welsh
Contact hours : n/a
Term taught: Flexible enrolment
Lecturers: Dr Christine Jones

Syllabus:

This module will consider the sociolinguistics of the Celtic languages, providing a detailed account of the social aspects of language use within the various Celtic countries. The present state of the four extant languages, Welsh, Breton, Irish and Scottish Gaelic, will initially be considered from a historical perspective: for example in the case of Welsh, initial discussion will revolve around the development and later demise of the language from the sixth century, through to the negative impact of industrialization in the nineteenth century and the low status given to the Welsh language in education at that time. Analysis will reveal that socio-economic upheaval brought a similar extensive shift to English in Ireland during the nineteenth century and neglect of Scottish Gaelic in the education system during a similar period contributed significantly to its decline as a literary medium.

Moving on from the historical background, the module will study the geographical distribution of speakers of the Celtic languages during the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. As well as looking at the numerical strengths of the four extant Celtic languages, the module will outline the revival of the other two Celtic languages, Manx and Cornish, during this period, and make reference to Celtic communities outside of the Celtic countries in places such as Patagonia and the United States of America .

Having viewed the Celtic languages from a historical and demographical viewpoint, the module will then proceed to outline present day institutional support for these languages in areas such as education, government and the media. With regard to Welsh, this will include topics such as bilingual education, adult Welsh learners, the Welsh Language Board, Radio Cymru and S4C . Similar such topics will be studied in relation to the other Celtic countries and comparisons drawn where relevant, e.g. the Diwan schools movement in Brittany and the Welsh Nursery Schools Movement in Wales . The module will then conclude with a brief analysis of the future prospects of each of the six Celtic languages.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this module students will be expected to:

• demonstrate a familiarity with the linguistic history of each of the four extant Celtic languages;
• discuss issues which have led to the demise of these languages over the centuries;
• outline demographic trends in relation to all six Celtic languages during the last hundred years;
• trace the revival of Manx and Cornish during the twentieth century and show an awareness of other Celtic communities world-wide;
• demonstrate an awareness and understanding of present day institutional support for the Celtic languages in areas such as education, government and the media;
• discuss the future prospects of each of the six Celtic languages.

Transferable and other skills involved:

This module should enable students to:

• use the world-wide web as an educational tool;
• communicate and debate a wide range of issues via email;
• absorb and critically analyse information from primary and secondary sources;
• demonstrate enhanced historical knowledge and sociolinguistic appreciation;
• acquire effective note-taking skills;
• provide structured and coherent written responses to the situations with which they are confronted.  

Select bibliography:

• John Aitchison & Harold Carter, Language, Economy and Society ( Cardiff : University of Wales Press, 2000)
• Martin Ball & . James Fife (eds.), The Celtic Languages (London: Routledge, 1993).
• Helen Kelly-Holmes, Minority Language Broadcasting: Breton and Irish (Clevedon: Channel View Books, 2001)
• Glanville Price (ed.), The Celtic Connection (Gerrards Cross: Colin Smythe, 1992).
• Maria Tymoczko & Colin Ireland (eds.), Language and Tradition in Ireland : Continuities and Displacements ( Amherst : University of Massachusetts Press, 2003)

(Detailed bibliographies will be distributed throughout the module.)

Evaluation:

Module evaluation questionnaires covering all aspects such as presentation, delivery and assessment will be distributed to students after they have submitted their essay for assessment. All e-learning students within the Department are also invited to submit comments to the Director of E-learning via e-mail prior to the termly meetings of the Departmental Staff-Student Consultative Committee. The course is also subject to annual reports by the External Examiner and periodic review by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.