Comparative Philology
A.Y. 2020/2021
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with the tools for the synchronic and diachronic analysis of ancient and modern languages, also with reference to the history of linguistic thought within which the various theoretical and methodological achievements of the discipline are placed.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, the students will know the main orientations in the history of linguistic thought and of linguistic science in Western cultures; they will also know the properties of historical-natural languages with particular reference to the functional and historical dimension. The students will be aware of the relationship between general reflection on language and empirical investigation of individual linguistic facts and will know the boundaries within which heuristic processes such as comparison, reconstruction and etymology are placed; they will also know the technical terminology specific to the discipline with reference to the areas and sectors examined, as well as a series of essential bibliographic tools. With reference to more technical and methodological aspects, the students will be able to distinguish between phonetic and graphic data, particularly in the case of the analysis of ancient linguistic forms, and they will be able to recognise and analyse specific synchronic and diachronic facts related to ancient and modern languages, applying rules and categories elaborated by general linguistic reflection; the student will also be able to distinguish the observation and description of empirical data from their interpretation and will use the appropriate metalinguistic terminology in the description of phenomena; finally, the students will be able to apply the historical-comparative method in the comparison of ancient Indo-European languages' forms and in the etymological investigation.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Lesson period
First semester
The course will take place in remote mode, mainly in asynchronous form, by publishing PPT audiotexts on the Ariel website of the course. Meetings are also planned with the students on the platforms Zoom/Microsoft Teams. Students will find on the Ariel website all the information concerning the course, the timetable of the meetings, and the teaching material.
Course syllabus
In the first part of the course (A) the elements of articulatory phonetics and phonology will be presented together with the basic notions for the description and explanation of linguistic phenomena of morphological, syntactic and lexical order.
Subsequently (B), attention will be focused on the historical dimension of the language and on linguistic variation, in particular, as regards linguistic change and linguistic typology.
Finally (C), through the examination of fundamental acquisitions in Indo-European linguistics, aspects of the comparative historical method will be illustrated and the notion of linguistic reconstruction will be defined.
Subsequently (B), attention will be focused on the historical dimension of the language and on linguistic variation, in particular, as regards linguistic change and linguistic typology.
Finally (C), through the examination of fundamental acquisitions in Indo-European linguistics, aspects of the comparative historical method will be illustrated and the notion of linguistic reconstruction will be defined.
Prerequisites for admission
No prerequisites for admission.
Teaching methods
The teaching is offered in a lecture format. The lectures are designed for the students to acquire the knowledge which is the subject of the discipline.
Teaching Resources
Teaching Units A and B
G. GRAFFI, Breve storia della linguistica, Roma, Carocci, 2019.
R. SIMONE, Nuovi fondamenti di linguistica, Milano, McGraw-Hill, 2013, or: G. GRAFFI - S. SCALISE, Le lingue e il linguaggio. Introduzione alla linguistica, Bologna, il Mulino, 2013.
Teaching Unit C
F. FANCIULLO, Introduzione alla linguistica storica, Bologna, il Mulino, 2013.
G. GRAFFI, Breve storia della linguistica, Roma, Carocci, 2019.
R. SIMONE, Nuovi fondamenti di linguistica, Milano, McGraw-Hill, 2013, or: G. GRAFFI - S. SCALISE, Le lingue e il linguaggio. Introduzione alla linguistica, Bologna, il Mulino, 2013.
Teaching Unit C
F. FANCIULLO, Introduzione alla linguistica storica, Bologna, il Mulino, 2013.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral test: The oral test consists of an interview and discussion on the topics indicated in the programme, aimed at ascertaining the students' knowledge of the contents of the proposed texts and of the aspects dealt with during the classes. In addition to in-depth knowledge of the contents proposed, students must demonstrate that they are able to apply the knowledge acquired in order to analyse and interpret the linguistic facts submitted to them in an appropriate manner.
The clarity and punctuality of the answers and the precise and correct use of the specialist vocabulary of the discipline will also contribute to the final evaluation.
Marks are out of 30.
International or Erasmus incoming students are kindly requested to contact the teacher of the course. Also students with disabilities should contact the teacher of the course, in order to discuss alternative examination methods, in agreement with the competent Office.
The clarity and punctuality of the answers and the precise and correct use of the specialist vocabulary of the discipline will also contribute to the final evaluation.
Marks are out of 30.
International or Erasmus incoming students are kindly requested to contact the teacher of the course. Also students with disabilities should contact the teacher of the course, in order to discuss alternative examination methods, in agreement with the competent Office.
Unita' didattica A
L-LIN/01 - HISTORICAL AND GENERAL LINGUISTICS - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
L-LIN/01 - HISTORICAL AND GENERAL LINGUISTICS - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
L-LIN/01 - HISTORICAL AND GENERAL LINGUISTICS - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours