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
• illustrate different types of phraseological units
• 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
• explain issues relating to the topics of this module using appropriate terminology
• sustain a critical argument that is responsive to the particular conventions of the genre
• research, plan and write an academic essay, using the correct referencing conventions

The module will be taught through a blend of synchronous and asynchronous learning classes and activities, designed to fulfil the learning outcomes. These will be delivered remotely, and on-campus if the University deems it safe and practicable.

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

Course Readings will be made available on learning central.

Ayto, J. (2012). Oxford dictionary of English idioms. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Buerki, A. (2016). Formulaic sequences: a drop in the ocean of constructions or something more significant? European Journal of English Studies, 20(1):15–34.

Cottrell, S. (2011). Critical Thinking Skills. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan

Coulmas, F. (1979). ‘On the sociolinguistic relevance of routine formulae’. Journal of Pragmatics, 3(3-4), 239-66.

Cowie, A. P. (1998). Phraseology: Theory, analysis and applications. Oxford: Clarendon Press

Ellis, N.C. and D. Larsen-Freeman. (2009). ‘Constructing a second language: analyses and computational simulations of the emergence of linguistic constructions from usage’. Language Learning, 59, 90-125.

Ellis, N.C., R. Simpson-Vlach and C. Maynard. (2008). ‘Formulaic language in native and second language speakers: psycholinguistics, corpus linguistics and TESOL’. TESOL Quarterly, 42(3), 375-96.

Erman, B. and B. Warren. (2000). ‘The idiom principle and the open choice principle’. Text, 20(1), 29-62.

Godfrey, J. (2013). The Student Phrase Book. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan

Goldberg, A. E. (2003). Constructions: A new theoretical approach to language. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 7(5), 219-224.

Goldberg, A. E. (1995). Constructions: A construction grammar approach to argument structure. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.

Granger, S. & Meunier, F. (2008). Phraseology: An interdisciplinary perspective. Amsterdam: John Benjamins Publishing Company.

Hilpert, M. (2014). Construction grammar and its application to English. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.

Kuiper, K. (2009). Formulaic genres. Houndmills: Palgrave Macmillan.

Hoffmann, T., & Trousdale, G. (2013). The Oxford Handbook of Construction Grammar.

Mollin, S. (2009). ‘“I entirely understand” is a Blairism: the methodology of identifying idiolectal collocations’. International Journal of Corpus Linguistics, 14(3), 367-92.

Nattinger, J.R. and J.S. DeCarrico. (1992). Lexical phrases and language teaching. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Pawley, A. and F. Syder. (1983). ‘Two puzzles for linguistic theory: nativelike selection and nativelike fluency’. In J. C. Richards and R. W. Schmidt (eds). Language and communication. Harlow: Longman. 191-226.

Wray, A. (2002). Formulaic language and the lexicon. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Wray, A. (2006). ‘Formulaic language’. In A. Anderson and E. K. Brown (eds). Encyclopedia of language & linguistics. Boston: Elsevier. 590-7.