Diverse realities and linguistic ideologies in the Spanish-speaking world

Teacher(s)

Aulit Laetitia (compensates De Cock Barbara); De Cock Barbara;

Language

Spanish

Prerequisites

Consolidated B2 level in Spanish. Good knowledge of the phonological, phonetic, and morphosyntactic systems of modern Spanish. Knowledge of the IPA phonetic alphabet and phonetic and phonological transcription.   

Main themes

The course will address the issue of linguistic ideologies concerning Spanish, as well as their impact on (the appreciation of) the diversity of Spanish, its evolution, and the language policies developed in the Spanish-speaking world. The course will address these issues, on the one hand, in the context of a diachronic overview (the evolution of Vulgar Latin to Spanish and the history of the Spanish language in America) and, on the other hand, in a synchronic approach to the description of the variants of Spanish in America and the contact between Spanish and other languages in America. 

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	Identify the main historical, social, cultural and political factors that have influenced the development of the Spanish language in the Spanish-speaking world.
2	Identify the main mechanisms of linguistic change in the Spanish language.
3	Recognise the most characteristic features of the different varieties of present-day Spanish.
4	Identify the linguistic ideologies circulating in and about the Spanish-speaking world.
5	Reflect critically on these ideologies, including one's own representations of linguistic variation in the Spanish-speaking world, by comparing them with scientific research on variation and contact situations in the Spanish-speaking world.
This learning unit contributes to the development and command of the following skills and learning outcomes of the ELAL programmes (ELAL learning outcomes): 1.2, 1.6, 2.6, 4.1, 4.3, 4.5, 6.1

Content

This course offers students an overview of the variation of Spanish from a diachronic and synchronic point of view, with particular attention to the socio-political factors that have contributed to this variation and to the position of Spanish in the world. 
It introduces the concept of linguistic ideology and takes a critical approach to the linguistic ideologies circulating about and within the Spanish-speaking world. 

Teaching methods

The linguistic content is explained using powerpoint presentations available on Moodle, and audio and video fragments. 
This course requires the regular preparation of exercises to apply the material covered, as well as reading a portfolio of articles. 

Evaluation methods

The assessment will be based on a portfolio the students create with examples of linguistic ideologies that students collect over the course of the year and comment on critically (40%) and on a written exam (60%).
The modalities of the September session are the same as those of the June session. Students who obtain a grade of 10/20 or more for the portfolio in the June session, do not have to submit a new portfolio. Students who obtain a grade of less than 10/20 for the portfolio in the June session have to submit an improved version of the portfolio for the September session.
Rules concerning the use of generative artificial intelligence tools
When preparing the portfolio, students must comply with the Guidelines of the École de Langues et Lettres (Lignes directrices pour une utilisation responsable des outils d’intelligence artificielle générative). More specifically, any use of artificial intelligence tools within the context of this course must be limited to the moderate level (level 2) of the grid presented in Grille des usages de l’intelligence artificielle générative, which completes the guidelines. Students must therefore fill out the declaration on the use of generative AI provided in the guidelines. Failure to comply with this instruction may result in a mark of less than 10/20 for the portfolio.
In case of non-compliance with the relevant rules, the examination board will take the measures set out in section 6 of the Lignes directrices pour une utilisation responsable des outils d’intelligence artificielle générative.
More generally, students must comply with the "Règlement général des évaluations des études et des examens" (RGEE) of the UCLouvain, in particular with regard to irregularities and plagiarism (Article 107 of the RGEE).
Specific assessment of language quality
The language quality of the portfolio is subject to a specific assessment. The procedure of this assessment is explained in the document « Modalités d’évaluation spécifique de la qualité de la langue des productions écrites dans les programmes de l’École de langues et lettres de l’UCLouvain » of the École de Langues et Lettres of the UCLouvain.
This assessment of language quality may result in a lower mark being awarded for the portfolio, or even a fail grade.

Other information

Through its focus on language ideologies and contact situations between languages, this course will also address social inequalities related to those subjects.

Online resources

Moodle page of the course

Bibliography

Portefeuille d'articles disponibles sur Moodle

Faculty or entity

> ELAL