Learning objectives
The course Linguistics mod. A aims at an introduction to synchronic linguistics, i.e. the scientific investigation on linguistic processes and description of languages. In the end students will be able with (1) the recognition of the different branches and topics of linguistics, (2) the correct use of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) and the phonological transcription of Italian and possibly English, (3) the analysis of word-formations and (4) of syntactic dependencies and constituent functions in Italian and English sentences.
Prerequisites
No specific requirements. A good command of the general grammatical rules and structures of any language can be useful for a more active participation to in-class activities.
Course unit content
– Foundations of general linguistics: synchrony and sub-categories.
– Speech apparatus, articulatory phonetics and the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA).
– Phonology and the rules for a phonological analysis.
– Morphology and linguistic typology.
– The word-formation: derivation, composition, borrowings and calques.
– Foundations of generative syntax and drawing of syntactic trees.
Full programme
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Bibliography
– In-class notes, teaching materials and exercises on Elly2023.
– ASTORI, Davide & MUSCIANISI, Domenico Giuseppe. 2022. Quindici lezioni di linguistica. Parma: Athenaeum. ISBN 978-88-32-15850-2.
or as an alternative to the former
– BERRUTO, Gaetano & CERRUTI, Massimo. 2022. La linguistica. Un corso introduttivo. 3ª edizione. Torino: UTET. ISBN 978-88-60-08663-1.
Further personal readings:
– GRAFFI, Giorgio & SCALISE, Sergio. 2013. Le lingue e il linguaggio. Introduzione alla linguistica. 3ª ed. Bologna: Il Mulino. ISBN 978-88-15-24179-5.
– DONATI, Caterina. 2016. La sintassi. Regole e strutture. 2ª ed. Bologna: Il Mulino. ISBN 978-88-15-26614-9.
Teaching methods
Traditional lecture with in-class and home exercises of analysis and reconstruction. Because the course is both introductory and technical, students are warmly invited to an active participation.
Assessment methods and criteria
Written examination in a single session with Historical Linguistics mod. B: 60 questions (multiple choice) within 70 minutes. The access to the oral part of the examination (2 questions) depends on the written result, that can be reassessed in a range of plus or minus 2 marks, depending on the answers to the oral examination (2 questions):
– less than or equal to 15: no admission.
– marks 16–17: compulsory oral examination.
– equal to or greater than 18: discretionary oral examination.
Other information
Lectures and in-class exercises consist of an occasion for strengthening and self-evaluation of the program. Students who cannot regularly attend lectures can download all the materials from Elly2023 and can autonomously use the textbooks indicated as "further readings" in the bibliography section. Thus, they can take the exam as described in the specific section of this syllabus.
REGISTERING at the EXAM
For a complete procedure of access and registering of the exam Linguistica generale (integrato) – 12 CFU, on Esse3 platform, candidates must sign up for both "Scritto – esame parziale" and "Orale – esame con verbalizzazione". Esse3 is just the platform for the bureaucratic procedure, relating to administrative offices, not the instructor/professor. Candidates must be present both to the morning exam summon (written) and to the afternoon summon (oral). At the latter convocation, candidates can express their intentions relating to the registering of the exam: accepting or rejecting the written exam score without making the oral part otherwise making the oral part and then accepting or rejecting the full score (written+oral). In any case candidates can not accept only the written score and reject only the oral one. In any case registering out of the deadlines is not allowed.
