Subject Area: Linguistics

In this course you will learn about the factors which impact on the spread and use of various languages and you will develop an understanding of how policies and language planning initiatives can change the language ecology of multicultural and multilingual communities. You will apply your knowledge in innovative ways, for example, through the fieldwork project which you will conduct in Sydney communities. Through collecting real data from various language domains (e.g. markets, cafes, libraries), you will develop a critical understanding of how multilingualism plays a role in the everyday life of speech communities and individuals. You will also gain a critical understanding of the factors which lead to language endangerment and language shift. The course can be useful for a career in areas of multiculturalism and policy-related work contexts.