Registry

Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	The Languages of Ireland Past & Present
Module Code	EN325
School	SALIS
Online Module Resources
Module Teacher	Eithne O'Connell
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Description

This module describes ways in which languages of varying status have been used in Ireland through the ages, from Old Irish, through Norse and Norman French to English.The module applies insights from historical and socio-linguistics to illustrate the dynamic nature of language using examples relating to the case of Irish (Gaeilge) and Hiberno-English (H-E), with possible reference also to Ulster Scots (Ullans) and Travellers' Shelta (Cant)etc.It demonstrates, by focusing on past and present linguistic realities in Ireland what is meant by such linguistic terms as language family, language change, language shift,dialect,language planning, minority/major/world and immigrant languages etc. and provides a link between the languages of Ireland and its social history and culture through an investigation of placenames, family names etc).

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate a basic historical linguistic and/or sociolinguistic understanding of how and why dialects and languages undergo change over time and in different territories.
2. Apply theoretical insights regarding the dynamic nature of language to evaluate aspects of a past or present linguistic situation in Ireland.
3. Evaluate critically aspects of the current linguistic landscape on the island of Ireland in relation to topics such as e.g. placenames, family names, bilingual signage, education, the media, community interpreting, terminology, translation, publishing, etc.
4. Describe how different languages and language varities have been used in Ireland through the ages, from Old Irish, through Norse and Norman French to English and present day mono/bilingualism versus multilingualism/plurilingualism due to recent mass immigration.

Workload	Full-time hours per semester
*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Lecture	24	Semi-formal presentations on key topics
Independent learning	50	Private study
Group work	51	Cooperative research to prepare ind. essay
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Lectures, seminars and student project work will cover topics such as.
Lectures, seminars and student project work will cover topics such as• Historical origins and development of languages, language families (e.g. Indo-European) and language change: cognates and borrowings etc. Example: history and current status of Celtic languages, esp. Irish.• Basic introduction to contemporary Irish• Historical and contemporary languages of Ireland, e.g. Old Irish, influences of Norse, Norman French, Elizabethan English etc. Modern Irish, Hiberno-English, Ulster Scots, Travellers’ Cant, new immigrant languages in Ireland.• Contemporary sociolinguistic considerations: Idiolects, sociolects, dialects, minority, major and world languages in an era of globalisation. Minority languages: Language planning, language shift, the role of the media etc..

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Course Work Breakdown
Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assignment	Inidvidual Essay	100%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Cronin, M. and Ó Cuilleanáin, C. (eds): 2003, Cronin, M. and Ó Cuilleanáin, C. (eds) 2003 The Languages of Ireland Dublin., Four Courts Press, Dublin,
Stockwell, P.: 2002, Sociolinguistics: a resource book for students, London; New York: Routledge., London; New York:,
Cronin, M.: 996, Translating Ireland, Cork University Press, Cork: .,
Dolan, T.P.: 2004, A Dictionary of Hiberno-English ., Gill & Macmillan, Dublin:,
Kirk J. M. & O’ Baoill, D. (eds) (2002).: 0, Travellers and their language., Queens University Belfast., Belfast:,
Fenton, J. 1995: 1995, The Hamely Tongue: A personal record of Ulster-Scots in Antrim ., Ulster-Scots Academic Press, Newtownards:,

Other Resources

None

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