Teaching code

4S02162

Academic staff

Paola Cotticelli, Alfredo Rizza

Coordinatore

Paola Cotticelli

Credits

12

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

L-LIN/01 - HISTORICAL AND GENERAL LINGUISTICS

Period

1 A, 1 B

Lessons timetable Moodle Seminars

Learning objectives

The goal of this course is to have the student acquainted with some basic notions concerning several aspects of human language. The course aims to provide the epistemic and methodological basis for general linguistics and historical linguistics. To reach this goal, some of the key concepts of modern language science will be illustrated, such as the distinction between language and languages and the articulation in analytical levels, and the description of the main phonological, morpho-syntactic and semantic phenomena in the perspective of synchronic analysis and with reference to both Italian and other languages typologically and genealogically distant from one another. The main phenomena of change and linguistic contact in the diachronic key will also be discussed.

Prerequisites and basic notions

Basics of grammatical analysis (as per secondary school programs)

Program

PART ONE. (dr. A. Rizza) 1. Phonology. Notions and exercises (Graffi-Scalise chap. IV; teacher's moodle files). 2. Phonology and writing. Problems and exercises (Graffi-Scalise chap. IV; teacher's moodle files). 3. Semiotic bases and general characteristics of human language (Graffi-Scalise chapters I. and II .; teacher moodle files). 4. Morphology. Notions and exercises related to morphemes, derivation, composition, flexion (Graffi-Scalise chap. V; moodle files of the teacher). 5. Syntax. to. Lexicon and syntax (valence). b. Structures. The phrases and the sentence c. Syntagmatic relationships d. The formal representations of the sentence (Graffi-Scalise chap. VII; moodle cards of the teacher). 6. Outlines of lexical and phrasal semantics (Graffi-Scalise chap. VIII; moodle files of the teacher). 7. Notes on language acquisition (Graffi-Scalise chap. XI., Reading at home). ------- SECOND PART (prof. P. Cotticelli) 8. Brief history of the discipline and its methods of investigation. 9. Linguistic genealogical classification, in particular of the Indo-European family; the language families of the world. 10. Typological classification of the languages of the world. 11. Main phenomena of change. 12. Main phenomena linguistic contact in a diachronic and synchronic key. 13. Description of the Italian dialects. 14. Elements of sociolinguistics.

Bibliography

Didactic methods

Classroom lectures, classroom and online exercises

Learning assessment procedures

The exam consists of a written test - with some open questions and some closed questions divided into two parts, one dedicated to general linguistics and one to historical linguistics - and an oral test. The open questions are present in both parts and require the student to describe a linguistic phenomenon, or theories and models explained during the lessons and learned during the exam preparation. The closed questions, on the other hand, allow you to apply the knowledge acquired on linguistic change, on phonetic transcription, on the analysis of propositions and morphology (mainly of Italian phenomena or languages taken into consideration during the course). During the exercises, models of written exams are presented. General structure of the written test: PART ONE - exercises in phonetics, phonology and sound-writing relationship - morphology exercises - syntax exercises - an open question on topics in the program. SECOND PART - classification exercises - exercises of phonetic, morphological, syntactic, semantic change - contact exercises and linguistic interference - open questions on the topics in the program Passing the written test determines admission to the oral test. The oral exam focuses on the entire program of the course. ----- Study TEXTS: see the moodle page for details.

Evaluation criteria

The objective of the exam consists in verifying the level of achievement of the previously indicated educational objectives. NB: the written test is divided into two parts and is passed only if both parts have reached enough. The written test mainly verifies the skills, that is to say the ability to apply and recognize, in a controlled environment, the knowledge acquired. In the open questions we also consider the property of language and the ability to communicate. In the interviews, notions, skills, reasoning and connection skills, conciseness, relevance and completeness of the answers are assessed.

Exam language

Italiano