Course - Dialectology and Language history - NORD1106
Dialectology and Language history
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About the course
Course content
NORD1106 includes historical change and geographical variation in Norwegian.
The students will learn about main trends in Norwegian language history. This includes both grammatical change in Norwegian from Ancient Nordic until today and the social and political history of Norwegian language. The latter is especially important after 1814, when official language policy led to two written languages and a series of orthographic reforms.
The main emphasis is on Old Norse and traditional Norwegian dialects, their grouping and the main characteristics of different dialect areas. We emphasise how knowledge of Old Norse is necessary to explain the variation between dialects, and how the language developed between these idealised stages. We also touch upon social variation and present-day changes in the spoken language.
Learning outcome
Knowledge:
The candidate has knowledge of:
- different periods in Norwegian language history and the basis of these periods
- main features of Old Norse grammar
- language planning and orthographic reforms after 1814
- traditional dialects of Norwegian (dialect areas and characteristics)
- variation and change in the dialects during the last decades
Skills:
The candidate can:
- identify important linguistic features in historical texts
- identify relevant dialect features in text examples
- identify linguistic changes from Old Norse to modern dialects
- describe central aspects of Norwegian language policy and language planning after 1814
- Write correct and coherent texts in Nynorsk and use relevant linguistic terminology
Learning methods and activities
Lectures and group work with essay writing.
Obligatory assignments: One written assignment, ca. 1000 words. There will be a written evaluation (pass/fail) of this assignment. The assignment serves as a draft for the term paper. Approved obligatory assignments are valid only in the semester in which the approval is given.
Both exams and the obligatory assignment for NORD1106 must be written in Nynorsk.
Compulsory assignments
- 1 written assignment
Further on evaluation
Assessment:
- Term paper, ca. 1500 words. This counts as 40% of the final grade.
- Written exam, 4 hours. This counts as 60% of the final grade.
Each of the exams are graded separately, but only the final grade will be listed on official diplomas and transcripts of records from NTNU. In the final grade, the two exams count as stated above. Both exams must receive the grade E or better in order for the student to receive a passing grade.
Students who have failed the term paper may appeal the grade and sit the written exam, but in case the appeal is dismissed, the result on the written exam will be cancelled.
It will not be possible to hand in a term paper in semesters where NORD1106 is not taught, with an exception for students who have a legitimate absence for the term paper. A resit examination of the written exam will be offered for students who passed the term paper. Students who fail must retake both exams. If a student resits the exam in a later semester, they must retake both exams.
Recommended previous knowledge
NORD1001 and NORD1102, or equivalent.
Course materials
A reading list will be available at the beginning of the semester. Students who have taken courses with parts of the same reading list before, have to apply to the department for approval of an alternative reading list.
Credit reductions
| Course code | Reduction | From |
|---|---|---|
| NORD1101 | 7.5 sp | Autumn 2008 |
| NORX1001 | 7.5 sp | Autumn 2008 |
| NORX1106 | 7.5 sp | Autumn 2010 |
| NORD6106 | 7.5 sp | Spring 2016 |
| NORD6011 | 5 sp | Autumn 2016 |
Subject areas
- Scandinavian Language and Literature