We start off this this module by looking at what phraseology is – common turns of phrase in language, including idioms, clichés, formulae, catch phrases, memes, multi-word terms and similar items. We think about how to define and identify phraseological units, explore the uses to which they are put, and crucially find out why they are of such central importance to linguistic knowledge and proficient language use. This takes us into areas such as first and second language learning, the processing of language in the brain, communication disorders, forensic authorship attribution, critical discourse analysis, historical linguistics and social change. We also look at how phraseology can be studied in real texts using corpus linguistic and computational methods of enquiry. 

• demonstrate understanding of the concept of phraseology and its significance 

• identify phraseological units in data and explain some of the uses to which they are put 

• explain how phraseology is important in a range of applied areas of everyday life 

• sustain a critical argument that is responsive to the particular conventions of the genre 

The module will be delivered through a mix of large group and small group sessions, including, where relevant, asynchronous materials such as lecture recordings. Full details on the delivery mode of this module will be available on Learning Central at the start of the academic year – and may be, in part, determined by Welsh Government and Public Health Wales guidance.

Ability to critically evaluate ideas and arguments; ability to present information and ideas clearly and coherently in the written medium, including in discussion fora; the module also develops students’ ability to analyse language samples qualitatively and quantitatively using a range of methods. 

A blend of coursework and portfolio assessments.

Module content will cover some of the following: 

• Overview of types of phraseological units 

• Defining and identifying phraseological units 

• Corpus and computational tools for studying phraseology 

• Phraseology and language processing in the brain 

• Phraseology in first and second language acquisition 

• Phraseology in communication and public discourse 

• Phraseology, identity and authorship 

• Phraseology in computational Natural Language Processing 

• Phraseology and social change 

• Phraseological units as a type of linguistic construction 

• Language as a store of linguistic constructions