ONLINE – DOES NOT REQUIRE ANY IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE TO COMPLETE
Canadian English: history, description, future
In this course we’ll reflect on the state of knowledge about Canadian English, defined as any variety of English spoken and used in Canada. We will distinguish between Standard Canadian English and all other forms of English used in Canada, including First Nations Englishes. We will approach Canadian English from sociolinguistic and sociohistorical perspectives: how did it come about? Why is it the way it is? Why do some not know much about it (perhaps you)? You will be coached to pick and research a topic within Canadian English of your choice, and critically assess the status quo in your chosen domain by way of a comprehensive literature review. The general area can be lexis, pronunciation, syntax, morphology, usage, or attitudes and perception, from which you would choose a narrower domain as a topic (e.g. First Nations terms in Canadian English; intensifiers in Canadian English; British influence in mid-20th century CanE). In a second stage, we will design the parameters for an empirical study in which we propose to address an existing gap in the literature. Your literature review and study design might be used for a BA thesis, Honor’s thesis or term paper and would give you a jumpstart on any of these projects.
Note, this course will be conducted EXCLUSIVELY online.