OVERVIEW

The course “Sprachwandel und Sprachvariation im deutschsprachigen Raum” (“Language Change and Linguistic Variation in the German-speaking Area”) consists of a 36-hour theoretical module (second semester). The course addresses the main phenomena of linguistic variation and language change in contemporary German.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to provide students with a general understanding of sociolinguistics as it relates to varieties of the German language and recent developments in contemporary German. It also introduces the concepts of national varieties, diatopic, diastratic, and diaphasic variation, youth language, and other contemporary varieties of German.

By the end of the course, students will be able to orient themselves within the field of synchronic variation linguistics.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to develop theoretical and methodological competences in the analysis of linguistic variation and language change in contemporary German, with particular attention to diatopic, diastratic, and diaphasic dimensions, as well as to phenomena of language contact.

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• identify, describe, and contextualize phenomena of linguistic variation in contemporary German from geographical, social, and situational perspectives;
• explain processes and dynamics of language change based on authentic linguistic data and examples drawn from current language use;
• analyse authentic texts and materials, including digital and multimodal ones, identifying linguistic features related to variation and change;
• recognize the role of language contact, multilingualism, and different communicative contexts in shaping contemporary uses of German;
• apply, in a guided manner, linguistic tools and categories of analysis to case studies related to language variation and change.

PREREQUISITES

There are no specific prerequisites.

TEACHING METHODS

The course will be delivered through a range of teaching formats, including lectures, flipped classroom activities, guided discussions, and case study analyses. Teaching will be supported by a variety of materials, such as slides, audiovisual resources, digital tools, and authentic written and multimodal texts.

Particular attention will be devoted to the guided analysis of linguistic examples from contemporary German, actively involving students in processes of observation, description, and interpretation of phenomena of linguistic variation and language change.

In addition, individual and/or group activities will be carried out, aimed at the guided application of linguistic analytical tools. These will be complemented by the reading and discussion of introductory academic articles related to the topics covered in the course.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

• Introduction to the fundamental concepts of linguistic variation and language change
• Language, norm, language use, and varieties of contemporary German
• Dimensions of linguistic variation (diatopic, diastratic, diaphasic, diamesic)
• Varieties of German in the German-speaking area and in different communicative contexts
• Analysis of linguistic phenomena in contemporary German based on authentic written, spoken, and digital texts
• Processes of language change in contemporary German (lexical innovation, semantic change, pragmatic-discursive change, language use in digital communication)
• Media language and digital communication
• Language contact, multilingualism, and linguistic interference
• Introduction to linguistic tools and methods applied to case studies
• Guided analysis of authentic linguistic materials

Course attendance is not mandatory but strongly recommended. The examination syllabus is the same for both attending and non-attending students.

Validity of the exam syllabus: as per regulations, until February 2028.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

• Ammon, Ulrich (2004): Variantenwörterbuch des Deutschen: die Standardsprache in Österreich, der Schweiz und Deutschland sowie in Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, Ostbelgien und Südtirol. Berlin/Boston: de Gruyter.
• Deppermann, Arnulf (Hg.) (2013): Das Deutsch der Migranten. Berlin/Boston: de Gruyter.
• Földes, Csaba/Roelcke, Thorsten (Hg.) (2022): Handbuch Mehrsprachigkeit. Berlin/Boston: de Gruyter.
• Goebl, Hans et al. (1996): Kontaktlinguistik. Berlin/New York: de Gruyter.

The texts, or relevant excerpts thereof, will be made available by the instructor. Any additional relevant bibliographic material will be communicated and provided by the instructor via the Aulaweb platform.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Theoretical Module (Pellegrino): 36 hours, second semester
Start: February 2027

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The examination consists of a PowerPoint presentation on a topic agreed upon with the instructor, followed by an oral commentary on the presentation itself. The oral examination will also include a discussion of the topics covered during the course, with particular reference to the theoretical concepts and linguistic analysis tools introduced in the lectures.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The achievement of the intended learning outcomes will be assessed through an oral examination based on a PowerPoint presentation and a subsequent in-depth discussion. This format allows for an integrated evaluation of both linguistic analysis skills and the ability to critically reflect on phenomena of variation and language change in contemporary German.

In particular, the presentation assesses the ability to select, organise, and analyse authentic linguistic data, correctly applying the concepts and analytical tools introduced during the course. The oral discussion, in turn, evaluates the ability to argue coherently, to establish connections between different course topics, and to critically discuss the linguistic phenomena observed.

Assessment will be based on the following criteria:

• accuracy and appropriateness of linguistic analysis;
• appropriate use of linguistic terminology;
• clarity and coherence of oral presentation;
• ability to structure the presentation effectively;
• critical thinking skills and independent elaboration of course content;
• ability to link empirical data with theoretical categories.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Teaching load
The course is worth 6 ECTS credits.

Language
The course will be taught in German.

Students with specific learning disorders (SLD)
Students who have officially submitted documentation of a disability, specific learning disorders (SLD), or other special educational needs are invited to contact both the departmental contact person, Prof. Sara Dickinson (sara.dickinson@unige.it), and the course instructor at the beginning of the academic year. This will allow for agreement on teaching and examination arrangements that, while respecting the learning objectives of the course, take into account individual learning needs and provide appropriate compensatory tools.