Learning outcomes

The course aims at providing students with the basic concepts of the theoretical linguistics and particularly refers to the synchronic approach for the analysis of natural languages.

Program

The course introduces the basic concepts of theoretical linguistics (the difference between language as a human capacity and natural languages, the specific properties of human language, etc.), describes the different possible classifications of natural languages and the parameters of linguistic variability. It also provides students with the tools for the linguistic analysis: phonetics and phonology (including the description and use of the International Phonetic Alphabet); morphology and the lexicon; syntax; semantics and pragmatics.

Examination Methods

The final exam aims at assessing the theoretical knowledge acquired by the students during the course, as well as their ability to apply this knowledge to concrete cases of linguistic analysis.
The assessment is carried out by means of a preliminary written examination, followed by an oral examination. The results of the written examination will be published on the webpage of the course together with the schedule of the oral assessment.

The written examination will last 1:30 and will consist of 15 questions of different nature: there will be both open and multiple choice questions, which may deal with both theoretical and practical aspects of the program. The latter are exercises which asses the students’ ability to apply the acquired theoretical notions to concrete cases. The questions refer to all the topics mentioned in the program, both those addressed during the classes and those that are studied autonomously by the students. The oral assessment will consist in an interview on the same program.