Teaching code

4S00879

Teacher

Chiara Melloni

Coordinator

Chiara Melloni

Credits

9

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

L-LIN/01 - HISTORICAL AND GENERAL LINGUISTICS

Period

I semestre (Lingue e letterature straniere) dal Sep 25, 2023 al Dec 22, 2023.

Courses Single

Authorized

Lessons timetable Moodle Seminars 0

Learning objectives

At the end of the course the student will know the basic theoretical knowledge of linguistics, the different levels of linguistic analysis (phonetics and phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics) and the technical terminology. Furthermore, he will be able to describe and recognise the linguistic phenomena occurring in the different levels of analysis, especially from a synchronic point of view.

Prerequisites and basic notions

None

Program

This course provides an introduction to the field of linguistics with a focus on language acquisition. We will explore the fundamental concepts, theories, and methods used in the study of language, aiming to understand how humans acquire and use language in various contexts. The course will cover topics such as phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics, all viewed through the lens of language acquisition.
Course Goals:
1. Develop a basic understanding of the key areas of linguistics and their relevance to language acquisition.
2. Familiarize students with the major theories and approaches to language acquisition.
3. Explore the nature of language structure and the processes involved in language acquisition.
4. Apply theoretical knowledge to real-world examples and case studies to gain a deeper understanding of language acquisition processes.
Outline:
Unit 1: Introduction to Linguistics and Language Acquisition
• Overview of linguistics as a scientific discipline
• Introduction to the study of language acquisition
• Nature vs. nurture debate in language development
• Historical perspectives on language acquisition research
Unit 2: Phonetics and Phonology
• Introduction to phonetics: articulatory phonetics, phonetic transcription
• The role of phonology in language acquisition
• Phonological development in children
• Second language acquisition and phonological challenges
Unit 3: Morphology
- Basic concepts of morphology: morphemes and words
- Morphological processes: derivation, composition, inflection
- Development of morphology and morphological awareness
Unit 4: Syntax
- Basic concepts of syntax: the notion of category and feature, valency, constituents, sentence structure
- The acquisition of syntax: typical and atypical development
Unit 4: Semantics and Pragmatics
- Meaning and its acquisition: semantic development in children
- Development of pragmatic skills: learning how to use language
Unit 5: Language Disorders and Language Acquisition
• Language development delays and disorders
• Language acquisition in individuals with developmental disabilities
• Language acquisition research and its impact on clinical practice

Bibliography

Didactic methods

The course will consist of lectures and classroom exercises and/or correction of assigned tasks. The suspended lessons will be made up within the duration of the course according to the methods/timescales indicated by the teacher through the Announcements of the Moodle platform. Non-attending students will find the teaching materials uploaded on the course's Moodle page, which they are invited to register for as soon as possible.

Learning assessment procedures

Final written examination covering the entire course content.
Duration of the test: 1 hour.
The test comprises open-ended and multiple-choice questions.
The examination will assess the student's knowledge of the theoretical basics of the study of language, the different levels of linguistic analysis (phonetics and phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics), the stages of linguistic development and specific technical terminology. The student's ability to describe and recognise linguistic phenomena occurring at the different levels of analysis will also be tested, especially from a synchronic and acquisitional point of view.
On a voluntary basis / for selected students: Group projects and presentations on language acquisition case studies. The bonus points (0-3) for this presentation will be added to the final grade.

Evaluation criteria

- substantial correctness of the answers and exhaustiveness of the contents;
- possession of adequate analytical skills;
- expressive clarity and argumentative ability.

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

The exam will be evaluated on a scale from 18 to 30 (cum laude) and will correspond to the result obtained in the written assignment. If the student has participated in a presentation in class, the score obtained in the presentation (from 0 to 3) will be added to that of the test to define the final grade.

Exam language

Italiano