Historical Linguistics
A.Y. 2022/2023
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with notions of historical linguistics more advanced than those acquired during the Comparative Philology course of the three-year degree.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge
At the end of the course, the student will have broadened his knowledge of the aspects of linguistic variation; he will also have a knowledge of the most up-to-date bibliographic tools and repertoires useful for the investigation of Indo-European languages; moreover, he will have become familiar with the main interpretative models typical of historical linguistics.
Skills
The student will be able to interpret the linguistic data in a diachronic perspective and to correctly conduct the etymological analysis in its various articulations; finally, he will be able to use the relevant bibliographic tools and etymological repertoires, to critically evaluate their contribution and assess their reliability.
At the end of the course, the student will have broadened his knowledge of the aspects of linguistic variation; he will also have a knowledge of the most up-to-date bibliographic tools and repertoires useful for the investigation of Indo-European languages; moreover, he will have become familiar with the main interpretative models typical of historical linguistics.
Skills
The student will be able to interpret the linguistic data in a diachronic perspective and to correctly conduct the etymological analysis in its various articulations; finally, he will be able to use the relevant bibliographic tools and etymological repertoires, to critically evaluate their contribution and assess their reliability.
Lesson period: Second 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
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
More specific information on the delivery modes of the training activities for the academic year 2022-2023 will be provided over the coming months, based on the evolution of the public health situation.
Course syllabus
In the first part of the course some general aspects of linguistic change and the dynamics concerning language contact and variation will be taken into account. They will be exemplified through cases coming from ancient Indo-European languages. The second part of the course will deal with some methodological aspects inherent to the topics of the course.
Prerequisites for admission
The course is intended for students who have already taken an exam in Comparative Philology.
Teaching methods
The teaching is offered in a lecture format. Lectures are designed for the students to acquire the knowledge which is the subject of the discipline. Characteristic phenomena of linguistic change, language contact and variation will be investigated through the reading and linguistic analysis of texts of ancient Indo-European languages.
Teaching Resources
Bibliography for attending students:
- Marco Mancini - Luca Lorenzetti (a cura di), "Le lingue del Mediterraneo antico. Culture, mutamenti, contatti", Roma, Carocci editore, 2013.
- Carlo Consani (a cura di), "Contatto interlinguistico fra presente e passato", Milano, LED, 2015: the papers of Section 'L'Antichità classica' (C. Consani, F. Pompeo, L. Tronci, S. Rovai: 133-216, text available online).
- Enrico Campanile - Bernard Comrie - Calvert Watkins, "Introduzione alla lingua e alla cultura degli Indoeuropei", Bologna, il Mulino, 2005.
- Learning materials pertaining to the texts commented during the lessons will be available on the Ariel website of the course (2022-2023).
Non attending students will add the study of the following text:
- Romano Lazzeroni, "La cultura indoeuropea", Bari, Laterza, 1998: chapters 1 ('CuIture dimenticate e culture trasfigurate. Le tracce nella lingua': 3-11) and 2 ('Esseri viventi e inanimati': 13-41).
Reference works:
- H.H. Hock, "Principles of Historical Linguistics", Berlin-New York-Amsterdam, Mouton de Gruyter, 1986.
- P. Milizia, "Le lingue indoeuropee", Roma, Carocci editore, 2002.
- O. Szemerényi, "Introduzione alla linguistica indeuropea", Milano, Unicopli, 1985.
Validity of the program: February 2024.
- Marco Mancini - Luca Lorenzetti (a cura di), "Le lingue del Mediterraneo antico. Culture, mutamenti, contatti", Roma, Carocci editore, 2013.
- Carlo Consani (a cura di), "Contatto interlinguistico fra presente e passato", Milano, LED, 2015: the papers of Section 'L'Antichità classica' (C. Consani, F. Pompeo, L. Tronci, S. Rovai: 133-216, text available online).
- Enrico Campanile - Bernard Comrie - Calvert Watkins, "Introduzione alla lingua e alla cultura degli Indoeuropei", Bologna, il Mulino, 2005.
- Learning materials pertaining to the texts commented during the lessons will be available on the Ariel website of the course (2022-2023).
Non attending students will add the study of the following text:
- Romano Lazzeroni, "La cultura indoeuropea", Bari, Laterza, 1998: chapters 1 ('CuIture dimenticate e culture trasfigurate. Le tracce nella lingua': 3-11) and 2 ('Esseri viventi e inanimati': 13-41).
Reference works:
- H.H. Hock, "Principles of Historical Linguistics", Berlin-New York-Amsterdam, Mouton de Gruyter, 1986.
- P. Milizia, "Le lingue indoeuropee", Roma, Carocci editore, 2002.
- O. Szemerényi, "Introduzione alla linguistica indeuropea", Milano, Unicopli, 1985.
Validity of the program: February 2024.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral test: The oral test consists of an interview on the topics indicated in the programme, aimed at ascertaining students' knowledge of the topics dealt with in the individual teaching parts and the contents of the reference texts indicated in the programme. In addition to in-depth knowledge of the contents proposed, the 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.
L-LIN/01 - HISTORICAL AND GENERAL LINGUISTICS - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Biondi Laura
Professor(s)
Reception:
Tuesday, 9.00-12.00 (First Semester). Tuesday, 16.30-18.30, Wednesday, 9.00-10.00 (II Semester)
Microsoft Teams Platform. Please, contact the teacher via email.