Chinese Sociolinguistics

Catalog description

This course (taught in English) introduces you to the to the continuity and heterogeneity of the Chinese language(s) in the Sino-phone world. We explore the complex relationship between linguistic practices and social stratifications as well as cultural changes by examining issues related to language use and their relationship to identity in different parts of the Chinese-speaking world (e.g., Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and among Chinese diaspora communities overseas). We specifically focus on sociolinguistic aspects that are salient to the Chinese-speaking societies, such as language and place, the linguistic construction identity (gender, nationality, ethnicity), and language policy and planning. We also discuss sociolinguistic research based on English to learn ways of analyzing language phenomenon.