Course Resources Archive

In this module students learn theoretical, ethical and technical skills in the collection and detailed analysis of spoken language as it appears in a variety of settings from everyday conversation to broadcast media such as television and radio.

This module explores language in its spoken form, in a great variety of settings from casual conversation between friends or with family to workplace settings, contrasting them with the use of spoken language in the media. Language in the media may include analysis of news programmes, soaps, and chat shows, on both television and radio. In all cases, the aim is for students to gain technical skills in the micro analysis of spoken texts, relating the linguistic details of what is said to the macro level of identity, relationships and the social construction of reality. The module will also cover ethical considerations in the gathering of spoken data.

A student passing this module should be able to demonstrate that they:

1. can explain relevant theoretical approaches to analysing spoken discourse

2. can apply theories to practical analysis of spoken texts, relating micro features of speech to macro features of identity and relationships

3. can locate themselves within the locus of their own analysis by becoming more aware of their own speech and the speech around them4. can identify some of the real-world applications of spoken language analysis

The Library Catalogue contains full details of the current reading list for this module. Further details may also be found in the Module Guide.