Portuguese as a Global Language
| Module title | Portuguese as a Global Language |
|---|---|
| Module code | MLP2002 |
| Academic year | 2022/3 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Susana Pinto Cavadas Afonso (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 10 |
|---|
Module description
In the 21st century Portuguese is one of the most spoken languages globally. In this module you will be taken on a journey of the development and spread of Portuguese. You will discover its social and historical background as well as how Portuguese diversified: what was the outcome of the contact between Portuguese and the other languages it encountered?
The different varieties of Portuguese as well as Portuguese-based creoles and semi-creoles will be studied as well as language maintenance and shift of Portuguese-speaking diasporas.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module introduces you to the global spread of Portuguese and related sociolinguistic issues such as dialect variation, language planning and language maintenance/shift of Portuguese-speaking diasporas. You will develop an awareness of how sociohistory and contact shape language. The module will explore the reasons behind the differences between the different varieties of Portuguese, the presence of Portuguese in Africa and Brazil as well as introduce the conditions of the emergence of the Atlantic and Portuguese-based creoles.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate an understanding of how social and historical facts shape language
- 2. Demonstrate familiarity with the current sociolinguistic situation of Portuguese in the different countries where it is the official language
- 3. Demonstrate familiarity with some linguistic features of the different varieties of Portuguese
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. After initial input from the course tutor, apply the linguistic concepts to the material under analysis independently
- 5. Access and use critically printed and, where appropriate, electronic learning resources identified as useful by the course tutor(s); find independently and evaluate critically other relevant resources
- 6. Recognise and understand basic linguistic terminology relatinng to variation
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. Present information and arguments on a defined topic
- 8. Acquire and apply the conventions and style of a Linguistics essay
- 9. Acquire the skills to discuss linguistic data
Syllabus plan
Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following topics:
- Concepts of language and dialect and dimensions of language variation
- Portuguese as a pluricentric languagePortuguese in Africa: background and sociolinguistic situation
- The process of nativisation of Portuguese in Africa
- Creoles and semi-creoles: degrees of restructuring
- Standard Brazilian Portuguese and Brazilian Vernacular Portuguese
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | 134 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 15 | 10 x 1.5 hour lectures and seminars |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 1 | Conclusion |
| Guided Independent Study | 134 | Private study |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mini essay | 500 Words | 1-9 | Written |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 100 | 2500 words | 1-9 | Written |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | Essay | 1-9 | Referral/Deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Basic reading:
- Azevedo, M. 2004. Portuguese: A Linguistic Introduction. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
- Firmino, G. 2011. “Nation-statehood and linguistic diversity in the postcolony: The case of Portuguese and indigenous languages in Mozambique". In Anchimbe, E. and Mforteh, S. (eds). Postcolonial Linguistic Voices. Postcolonial Choices and Representations. Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter. pp. 99–118
- Gonçalves, P. 2004. “Towards a unified vision of classes of language acquisition and change: arguments for the genesis of Mozambican African Portuguese”. Journal of Pidgin and Creole Languages 19(2): 225–259
- Holm, J. 2004. Languages in Contact: The Partial Restructuring of Vernaculars. Cambridge: CUP
- Holm, J. 2000. Introduction to Pidgins and Creoles. Cambridge: CUP
- Lloyd-Jones, S. & Pinto, A. (eds.). 2003. The Last Empire. Thirty Years of Portuguese Colonisation. Bristol: Intellect Books.
- López, L., Gonçalves, P. & Avelar, J. (eds.) (2018). The Portuguese language continuum in Africa and Brazil. Amsterdam: John Benjamins.
- Mufwene, S. (ed.) (2014). Iberian imperialism and language evolution in Latin America. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
- Ethnologue, languages of the world (http://www.ethnologue.com/)
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 5 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 05/03/2014 |
| Last revision date | 17/03/2022 |
