7306.11 - History of Language

7306.11

History of Language

2

The course aims at providing students with an overall picture of the development of the Faroese language from the Middle Ages to the contemporary situation. Students will - gain knowledge about the Faroese language in its historical context - gain insight into changes in the language - gain understanding in working with the collection and registration of words - learn to evaluate and form a position on the convictions and circumstances, in which the Faroese language has and does exist and develop

The course is on the history of the Faroese language, and based on sources from the 13th century to today. The topics discussed are: the development of the language in the Middle Ages, the emergence of Purism in the Nordic countries, the state of the language during the time of Svabo, how the written language was developed, Jákup Jakobsens views on the language, the reason for the division among literary personages on the written language, the content of paragraph 7, the development of Faroese as a language of instruction and of religious discourse, the case of textbooks and the circular of 1954, and the language struggle in the gymnasium in Tórshavn during the 1970s. Different perspectives on language care and politics will be discussed. The newest language reports will also be covered. The course commences with an overview of the development of the Faroese language from the Middle Ages to the contemporary situation. Then material from the 18th, 19th and 20th century will be discussed.

Students will be evaluated on active participation in class. Internal examiners will be used. Grades are awarded on Passed/Not passed basis.