Research Topic

Research Paper and Presentation 

The final research paper is 8-10 pages.

It follows good essay structure with an introduction plus thesis, body, and conclusion.

You must use APA formatting: See web links for video tutorial on how to format APA style.

The paper must have references and in-text citations.

You will conduct an original investigation into one of these sociolinguistic phenomenon or question. Then, you will match your results to the data provided in the assigned readings for this class.

Primary research means that you will conduct a survey or do your own analysis.

1. What are some documented differences in the discourse styles of men and women? Select a particular group to research. Identify the sociolinguistic principles affecting these differences.

1. Analyze the dialog of two characters in a movie or novel/short story.

2. Collect sample conversations from one couple to analyze

3. Select a group that has not been analyzed previously or look at a language group that has gender differences in its language.

· Identify a language policy in the U.S. and its effects. This policy might be governmental, educational, or associated with a business.

· How do immersion language programs mimic first language acquisition? Choose one to analyze. Some possible programs are Total Physical Response, The Silent Way, The Defense Language Institute, and Language Camps. Participate in one of these methods and keep a journal of your experience or people who have learned a language through one of these methods.

· Languages are being lost at an alarming rate, what can be done to reverse this language loss? Use one example language (interview someone from that language group). Some possible authors to read are Fishman, Crawford, and Reyhner.

· Overall the US is a multi-lingual country, but the amount of multilingualism may vary from area to area. Take the area where you live and explore the multilingual nature.

1. Usually, immigrant languages are lost by the third generation. Another possibility is to explore how certain populations have been able to maintain their heritage languages.

· If you have a young child, keep a daily journal (recordings are good too) of sounds, words, or sentences produced by the child. Compare your data to information about language acquisition.