Portuguese : Language variation and change

Upon completion of the course students will be able to:

• describe the differences and similarities between the varieties of Portuguese in the world with linguistic terms, including phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, lexicon and pragmatics
• discuss principles of language variation and change and relate these to the emergence of Portuguese and its spread around the world as it came into contact with other languages
• apply linguistic concepts and theories in the analysis and comparison of spoken and written discourse from different varieties of Portuguese
• independently search for, collect and use relevant sources, and refer to them in an academically correct manner.

The course consists of two main parts. The first part focuses on geographic variation in Portuguese around the world. Thsi includes the introduction of basic linguistic terminology and theory. In the second part we discuss how differences between the varieties of Portuguese have developed. This part of the course covers theories of language history and language change. The focus is on language contact, which has been present in both the emergence of Portuguese in Europe and in the spread of Portuguese in the world. Authentic materials consisting of written texts and transcribed spoken discourse from various Portuguese-speaking regions in the world constitute the base for the students‘ analysis. Scientific texts that present different types of explanations for the development and change of the Portuguese language will be discussed and compared.

Assessment is based on written assignments and oral presentations.

Lectures and seminars with group discussions. Two of the seminars are obligatory. Portuguese is used as the language of tuition and English and /or Swedish are used as support languages.

The Swedish grades U–VG.