Course syllabus
The course introduces the students to the scientific study of language and its structures, by giving the theoretical knowledges and the methodological instruments to analyse various levels of human languages, with detailed study of linguistic variability according to contexts of use.
Part 1: Linguistics, language and languages
The module introduces the main theoretical notions of Linguistics, the notion of language and of languages, other than addressing the main properties of the language as a system.
Main topics in this part:
- Language and communication
- The structure of the linguistic sign
- The properties of language
Bibliography (for part 1)
Arcodia, G.F. & Panunzi, A. (a cura di, 2023) Linguistica. Introduzione alle scienze del linguaggio, Milano: Pearson, chapters 1, 2 (not 2.2 and 2.3), 7
Part 2: Phonetics, phonology and sound change
In this module we will consider the phonetic and phonological dimensions of linguistic sign. The theoretical notions will be applied to the diachronic and synchronic variability of the language, by also introducing the notions of sound change.
Main topics in this part:
- Phonetics and sound classification
- Syllable, accent and tone
- Phonological processes
- Sound change
Bibliography (for part 2):
Arcodia, G.F. & Panunzi, A. (a cura di, 2023) Linguistica. Introduzione alle scienze del linguaggio, Milano: Pearson, chapters 3 and 9 (from 9.1 to 9.9).
Part 3: Morphology, Syntax and the Lexicon
In this module we will consider the morphological and syntactic dimensions of linguistic sign; we will also introduce the basic elements of lexical and semantic analysis. We will further explore the notions of language change in its diachronic dimension.
Main topics in this part:
- Morphology
- Syntax
- Lexicon
- Semantic
- Language change
Bibliography (for part 3):
- Arcodia, G.F. & Panunzi, A. (a cura di, 2023) Linguistica. Introduzione alle scienze del linguaggio, Milano: Pearson: chapters 4, 5, 6, 9 (from 9.10 to 9.13).
Part 4: Linguistic variability
In this part we will address the different ways to classify world's languages (areal, genealogical and typological classification). We will focus on the different morphological and syntactic types, and on the notion of linguistic universal. The last part of the course will focus on languages in Europe.
Main topics in this part:
- Classifying world's languages
- Morphological and syntactic types
- Linguistic universals
- The languages of Europe
Bibliography (for part 4):
- Arcodia, G.F. & Panunzi, A. (a cura di, 2023) Linguistica. Introduzione alle scienze del linguaggio, Milano: Pearson: capitolo 8.
- Banfi, E. & Grandi, N. (2020) Le lingue d'Europa, Roma: Carocci, capitoli 3, 4 e 5;
- Banfi, E. & Grandi, N. (a cura di, 2022) Le lingue extra-europee: Asia e Africa, Roma: Carocci, capitoli 1 e 2;
During the different modules various experts in linguistics will teach in guest (optional) classes, in order to offer the students an up-to-date overview of the developments of the discipline and its further perspectives.
The program of the guest classes and the precise structure of the different lessons for each modules will be uploaded on Ariel at the beginning of the course.
Prerequisites for admission
None.
Teaching methods
The course consists in both lectures (in presence or in live streaming on Teams) and online materials for the asynchronous learning on the student part. These teaching materials on the Ariel platform consist of:
- More examples of application of the notions seen during the lectures, with notes provided by the teacher;
- More exercises than the ones seen during lectures, particularly useful for the preparation of the exam, with their solutions;
- Auto-evaluation tests with automatic correction to allow the student to check his/her learning during the course;
- Supporting material to help in the preparation of the exam (schemes, IPA charts, images).
Students will also find on Ariel:
- The slides projected during the lectures in .pdf;
- Link to extra tests of self-evaluations, exercises and online mini-games created by the professor to enhance the learning experience;
- Suggested extra readings for different topics (not mandatory for the exam);
- Indications of some websites of particular interest for the study of Linguistics (not mandatory for the exam).
Active participation during the course is strongly recommended.
Teaching Resources
Attending students:
- Arcodia, G.F. & Panunzi, A. (a cura di, 2023) Linguistica. Introduzione alle scienze del linguaggio, Milano: Pearson, chapters 1 to 9 (with the esclusion of chapter 2);
- Banfi, E. & Grandi, N. (2020) Le lingue d'Europa, Roma: Carocci;
- 2 chapters freely selected by the student from these two texts (not necessarily from the the same text):
o Banfi, E. & Grandi, N. (a cura di, 2022) Le lingue extra-europee: Asia e Africa, Roma: Carocci, chapters from 3 to 15;
o Banfi, E. & Grandi, N. (a cura di, 2022) Le lingue extra-europee: Americhe, Australia e lingue di contatto, Roma: Carocci, chapters 4, 5, 6.
- Slides, lesson notes, exercises and materials on Ariel.
Not attending students:
- Arcodia, G.F. & Panunzi, A. (eds., 2023) Linguistica. Introduzione alle scienze del linguaggio, Milano: Pearson, chapters 1 to 9 (with the esclusion of chapter 2);
- Banfi, E. & Grandi, N. (2020) Le lingue d'Europa, Roma: Carocci;
- Mauri, C. & Arcodia, G.F. (2020) La diversità linguistica, Roma: Carocci.
- 2 chapters to be selected by the student from one of the following texts (it is possible to select both chapters from the same text!):
o Banfi, E. & Grandi, N. (eds., 2022) Le lingue extra-europee: Asia e Africa, Roma: Carocci, chapters from 3 to 15;
o Banfi, E. & Grandi, N. (eds., 2022) Le lingue extra-europee: Americhe, Australia e lingue di contatto, Roma: Carocci, chapters 4, 5 and 6.
- (recommended) Luraghi, S.; Thornton, A.M. Linguistica generale: esercitazioni e autoverifica, Roma: Carocci, 2004 or following editions.
Foreigner students may ask to substitute part of the bibliography with equivalent English text, by contacting the professor via email.
Students with specific learning needs are invited to contact the professor, possibly prior the beginning or the first weeks of lessons. Please, remember to address your email to the dedicated offices (e.g., DSA).
Assessment methods and Criteria
Final oral exam
The final test will consist in a colloquium in which it will verified the reaching of the learning outcomes of the course. In particular, during the colloquium the student will be asked to be able to:
1. Solve some short exercises about the phonetic/phonological, morphological and syntactic analysis on typologically different languages;
2. Define in an accurate way and with the proper technical terminology the theoretical and methodological principles on the different levels of linguistic analysis;
3. Give the adequate exemplification of the theoretical notions seen in class or in the manuals;
4. Critically discuss the examples of application of linguistic analysis to the variability of human language.
WARNING: The correct phonetic transcription and morphemic identification is a necessary condition (even if not sufficient) to continue the exam.
Final evaluation is expressed in thirties.
Preliminary written test
Only for attending students.
At the end of the course, there will be a preliminary test in written form on the contents of the manual "Linguistica. Introduzione alle scienze del linguaggio", chapters from 1 to 9 (except for chapter 2).
The test will contain specific questions to verify specific learning outcomes:
- Multiple choice answers and open short answers: definition of theoretical and methodological principles of linguistic analysis;
- Short exercises of analysis on phonetics/phonology, morphology and syntax on typologically different languages.
If a student succeeds and accepts the evaluation of the written test, he/she will be orally examined only on the book "Lingue d'Europa" and on the 2 selected chapters of the volumes "Lingue Extra-Europee" (see Bibliography).
In this case, the oral exam will focus on these learning objectives:
- Critical discussion of the typological properties of the different linguistic systems;
- Description of the chosen language families in light of typological linguistics.
