Vocabulary Studies, 5 cr

The course gives the participants an overall picture of the principles of the study of words. We shall begin by looking at the varieties of English (e.g. geographical, dialectal, social, formal, informal, slang, technical, pejorative) and how these are reflected on the level of vocabulary. The labelling of the different types of variety in dictionaries will also be discussed. After this, the course moves on to examine the main sources of English vocabulary (techniques of word-formation, foreign adoptions). Next, aspects of meaning will be addressed, including the ways in which the meanings of words change along dimensions such as gender (e.g. guy, certain articles of clothing) and pejoration (e.g. idiot, imbecile, moron). The course concludes with a look at the fairly recent discussions about appropriate ways of referring to e.g. various gender-related issues or particular illnesses and disabilities.