Portuguese : Language variation and change

The course consists of two main parts. The first part focuses on geographic variation in Portuguese around the world. Thsi includes the introduction of basic linguistic terminology and theory. In the second part we discuss how differences between the varieties of Portuguese have developed. This part of the course covers theories of language history and language change. The focus is on language contact, which has been present in both the emergence of Portuguese in Europe and in the spread of Portuguese in the world. Authentic materials consisting of written texts and transcribed spoken discourse from various Portuguese-speaking regions in the world constitute the base for the students‘ analysis. Scientific texts that present different types of explanations for the development and change of the Portuguese language will be discussed and compared.