Latin language (MA)
A.Y. 2020/2021
Learning objectives
In the first unit, for students of Lettere moderne, some aspects of the Latin language are dwelt upon, based on a selection of Latin prose texts pertaining to different times and genres; two specialistic units focus on more specific topics, which change every year, and deal also with non-literary texts (e.g., technical languages; diamesic variation: written and spoken language; the language of an individual author or genre).
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge: Thorough knowledge of: (1) Latin phonology, morphology, syntax, even concerning their more complex and problematic aspects; (2) the general categories of linguistic description and analysis, which apply both to Latin and to other (ancient and modern) languages.
Skills: The students are able to: (1) grasp the linguistic and stylistic features of texts pertaining to different times and genres, based also on comparison between different texts; (2) understand and translate into Italian any text, however difficult it is; (3) when possible, place texts in their socio-linguistic context; (4) make a careful use of critical editions, commentaries, studies. Students are actively involved in class activities and are asked to present texts, so that they get accustomed to face texts autonomously, both finding and taking advantage of any bibliographical instrument that is useful in view of linguistic analysis.
Skills: The students are able to: (1) grasp the linguistic and stylistic features of texts pertaining to different times and genres, based also on comparison between different texts; (2) understand and translate into Italian any text, however difficult it is; (3) when possible, place texts in their socio-linguistic context; (4) make a careful use of critical editions, commentaries, studies. Students are actively involved in class activities and are asked to present texts, so that they get accustomed to face texts autonomously, both finding and taking advantage of any bibliographical instrument that is useful in view of linguistic analysis.
Lesson period: First semester (In case of multiple editions, please check the period, as it may vary)
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Owing to Coronavirus-emergency, teaching will consist of classes delivered either online or face-to-face. All of the classes will be broadcasted through Zoom. Face-to-face classes will be held ONLY on Thursday 24th September and 19th November 2020, room TBA, at 8.30-10.30am. Information on the course (link to have access to classes, texts, etc.) will be published on the Ariel website of the course.
In case Coronavirus-emergency prevents from having examinations held as described in the Syllabus, examinations will be held online and further information will be published on the Ariel website of the course.
In case Coronavirus-emergency prevents from having examinations held as described in the Syllabus, examinations will be held online and further information will be published on the Ariel website of the course.
Course syllabus
In section A (20 hours, addressed to students of 'Lettere moderne' exclusively) some key-topics relating to Latin language and its diachronic change are dealt with in depth: e.g., word order; word formation; the structure of complex sentences; verbal aspect; Latin apophony and Indoeuropean apophony.
In sections B-C (20+20 hours) the issue of spoken Latin will be dwelt upon. Firstly, some methodological aspects concerning spoken Latin - and the reconstruction of ancient spoken languages at large - will be dealt with; secondly, passages from Plautus' Aulularia will be read and analyzed, as bearing witness to a language which results from a refined merge of imitation of colloquial language and literary artificium.
In sections B-C (20+20 hours) the issue of spoken Latin will be dwelt upon. Firstly, some methodological aspects concerning spoken Latin - and the reconstruction of ancient spoken languages at large - will be dealt with; secondly, passages from Plautus' Aulularia will be read and analyzed, as bearing witness to a language which results from a refined merge of imitation of colloquial language and literary artificium.
Prerequisites for admission
A deep knowledge of the history of the Latin literature, and of Latin language (phonology, morphology, syntax). It is compulsory for all students to have passed the written test (translation from Latin into Italian) which is preliminary to the exam of 'Latin literature' (MA).
Teaching methods
Frontal teaching is integrated with active cooperation by students. The focal points of the teaching method are: 1) on behalf of the teacher, texts' presentation, through: loud reading, translation (aiming also at remarking the impossibility of an univocal word-for-word translation), linguistic analysis, mainly dwelling on the problematic aspects of linguistic doctrine; 2) on behalf of the students, an active cooperation is stimulated unceasingly, in both translation and analysis of texts; moreover, some texts are presented by students, taking advantage of bibliographical materials found by themselves.
Teaching Resources
Instructions vary depending on the student's MA.
Students of MA 'Filologia, storia e letterature del mondo classico' (CFU 6/9):
1) translation from Latin of Lucretius, De rerum natura, book V. Suggested editions: Lucrezio, De rerum natura. Libro quinto, commento e note di C. Giussani e E. Stampini, Torino Loescher 1959; Lucretius, De rerum natura 5, edited with a translation, introduction and commentary by M.R. Gale, Oxford 2009.
2) study of one of the following histories of the Latin language: a] C. Santini, Lingue e generi letterari dalle origini agli Antonini, in P. Poccetti - D. Poli - C. Santini, Una storia della lingua latina: formazione, usi, comunicazione, Carocci, Roma 2003, pp. 235-376 (III capitolo); b] L.R. Palmer, La lingua latina, Einaudi, Torino 1977, parte I (Lineamenti di storia della lingua latina) (for English speaking students, L.R. Palmer, A History of the Latin Language, Faber and Faber, London 1954, part I); c] I. Mazzini, Storia della lingua latina e del suo contesto. Volume 1: linguistica e lingua letteraria, ed. Salerno 2007; d] I. Mazzini, Storia della lingua latina e del suo contesto. Volume 2: le lingue socialmente marcate, ed. Salerno 2010;
3) study of: A. Traina - G. Bernardi Perini, Propedeutica al latino universitario, Bologna, Patron, 1998, study of chapters 1-6.
4) the texts examined during classes, which will be published on the course website ( https://pmorettill.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/v5/home/Default.aspx ).
Students of MA 'Filologia, storia e letterature del mondo classico' who choose 'Latin language - 9 CFU', must ask the teacher for some further readings.
Students of 'Lettere moderne' (CFU 6/9):
1) study of: A. Traina - G. Bernardi Perini, Propedeutica al latino universitario, Bologna, Patron, 1998, capitoli 1-6;
2) translation from Latin of Cicero, Tusculanae disputationes, libro II, or Sallust, Bellum Catilinae.
3) I testi analizzati a lezione, che sono pubblicati sul sito Ariel del corso ( https://pmorettill.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/v5/home/Default.aspx ).
Students of MA Lettere moderne' who choose 'Latin language - 9 CFU', must translate from Latin both Cicero, Tusculanae disputationes, libro II, and Sallust, Bellum Catilinae).
Students of MA 'Filologia, storia e letterature del mondo classico' (CFU 6/9):
1) translation from Latin of Lucretius, De rerum natura, book V. Suggested editions: Lucrezio, De rerum natura. Libro quinto, commento e note di C. Giussani e E. Stampini, Torino Loescher 1959; Lucretius, De rerum natura 5, edited with a translation, introduction and commentary by M.R. Gale, Oxford 2009.
2) study of one of the following histories of the Latin language: a] C. Santini, Lingue e generi letterari dalle origini agli Antonini, in P. Poccetti - D. Poli - C. Santini, Una storia della lingua latina: formazione, usi, comunicazione, Carocci, Roma 2003, pp. 235-376 (III capitolo); b] L.R. Palmer, La lingua latina, Einaudi, Torino 1977, parte I (Lineamenti di storia della lingua latina) (for English speaking students, L.R. Palmer, A History of the Latin Language, Faber and Faber, London 1954, part I); c] I. Mazzini, Storia della lingua latina e del suo contesto. Volume 1: linguistica e lingua letteraria, ed. Salerno 2007; d] I. Mazzini, Storia della lingua latina e del suo contesto. Volume 2: le lingue socialmente marcate, ed. Salerno 2010;
3) study of: A. Traina - G. Bernardi Perini, Propedeutica al latino universitario, Bologna, Patron, 1998, study of chapters 1-6.
4) the texts examined during classes, which will be published on the course website ( https://pmorettill.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/v5/home/Default.aspx ).
Students of MA 'Filologia, storia e letterature del mondo classico' who choose 'Latin language - 9 CFU', must ask the teacher for some further readings.
Students of 'Lettere moderne' (CFU 6/9):
1) study of: A. Traina - G. Bernardi Perini, Propedeutica al latino universitario, Bologna, Patron, 1998, capitoli 1-6;
2) translation from Latin of Cicero, Tusculanae disputationes, libro II, or Sallust, Bellum Catilinae.
3) I testi analizzati a lezione, che sono pubblicati sul sito Ariel del corso ( https://pmorettill.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/v5/home/Default.aspx ).
Students of MA Lettere moderne' who choose 'Latin language - 9 CFU', must translate from Latin both Cicero, Tusculanae disputationes, libro II, and Sallust, Bellum Catilinae).
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral examination, top grade 30/30 'e lode' (sufficiency: 18/30). It focuses both on texts examined by the teacher during classes, and on those translated autonomously by students: students must be able to read them aloud, to translate them, to comment upon them under the linguistic respect. The examination aims to verify: 1) the knowledge of general categories of linguistic analysis; 2) the students' ability: to describe the general categories of linguistic analysis by means of exact technical terms; to examine texts even in comparison to other ones, highlighting the differences and suggesting the possible reasons accounting for them.
Unita' didattica A
L-FIL-LET/04 - LATIN LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
L-FIL-LET/04 - LATIN LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
L-FIL-LET/04 - LATIN LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
During Covid-emergency, students should contact prof. Moretti by email.