Geolinguistic varieties of French [ LROM2180 ]

An introductory course in general linguistics is required, which gives the main tools for describing phonetic, phonological and lexical phenomena.

1. Identifying the main typical illustrations of the spreading of French : - traditional areas (France regions, oïl domain, Wallonia, French-speaking Switzerland) - areas where French has been imported (Quebec, Acadia, Louisiana, Indian Ocean, etc.) - areas where French has been implemented by administrative pressure or by force (Sub-Saharan Africa, Maghreb, etc.) - areas where French spreading is link to France's cultural influence (Romania, Near East, etc.).

2. Describing, from a differential point of view, the linguistic variation in those areas, while focussing on phonetic, phonological and lexical aspects.

3. Linking up the linguistic characteristics of a given area to its historical, cultural and social context.

This course aims

1. to make masters degree students more familiar with the variation of French in Francophonia, more precisely from a geographical point of view (variation from place to place), by describing and analyzing - linguistic practices - linguistic attitudes and representations (i.e. internal approach)

2. to link up the study of the geographical varieties of French to the sociocultural and political context of the linguistic communities. (i.e. external approach)

3. to give thought to the future of the French language and the institutional Francophonia.

Students must take part in a group activity in order to sit the exam. The assessment will be a written exam in the first examination session. The resit examination will be an oral exam.

The formal course (22.5 hours) comprises reading material (available to students on iCampus), lectures (which are included in the course timetable) and small group work, which will lead to a written piece. The course can be followed remotely with a greater level of individual work involved.

Description

This course offers a reflective exploration of French and its variations, principally from a diatopic perspective. This theoretical reflection will be developed along two lines. On the one hand, the examination of varieties of French in different Francophone areas, in connection with different historical, cultural and social contexts; on the other hand, the lexicological approach taken by that variation in reference works (general dictionaries vs dictionaries covering linguistic variations).

Objectives

The aim of this course is to enable second-cycle students to incorporate the concept of variation into their understanding of the language and to cast a critical eye over the concept of standards (within, but not limited to, the field of linguistics).
The course curriculum will enable students to tackle political and didactic questions, e.g.: what is French? Why and / or how should we protect it? How can it be described? What standards should be taught? Etc.

Additional reading references will be provided during classes.

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