Theoretical Linguistics
A.Y. 2022/2023
Learning objectives
The course aims at introducing students to General Linguistics, the discipline that studies human language in its extraordinary structural complexity. The course will propose a systematic dissertation of the different levels of the linguistic system (phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax), with a particular emphasis on the history of linguistics and on the systematic and structured variability of languages in context. The variationist approach will be further analysed in the last part of the course, with focused attention on the use of language and its social and communicative variability.
By the end of the course, students will have at disposal the instruments of analysis of language on the different levels of the linguistic system, other than a knowledge of the evolution and the language uses in different contexts. In this respect, the course will strengthen those same basic competences vital to the education of professionals capable at operating in different communicative settings.
By the end of the course, students will have at disposal the instruments of analysis of language on the different levels of the linguistic system, other than a knowledge of the evolution and the language uses in different contexts. In this respect, the course will strengthen those same basic competences vital to the education of professionals capable at operating in different communicative settings.
Expected learning outcomes
The topics addressed in this course aim at equipping the students with systematic knowledges on the structures and the social-historical uses of human language. These knowledges provide the necessary competences for an autonomous and informed analysis of the different aspects of human language.
By the end of the course, it is expected for the students to have acquired the following:
1) Knowledge of the theoretical and methodological foundations for the analysis of human language on the different levels of the linguistic system;
2) Application of the theoretical knowledges also to different and typological distant languages;
3) Discussion of actual case-studies of linguistic variation on different levels of the linguistic system by connecting those case-studies to the acquired theoretical notions.
By the end of the course, it is expected for the students to have acquired the following:
1) Knowledge of the theoretical and methodological foundations for the analysis of human language on the different levels of the linguistic system;
2) Application of the theoretical knowledges also to different and typological distant languages;
3) Discussion of actual case-studies of linguistic variation on different levels of the linguistic system by connecting those case-studies to the acquired theoretical notions.
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
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
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 (modules 1 and 2), with detailed study of linguistic variability according to contexts of use (module 3).
Module 1: Linguistics and the study of language
The module introduces the main theoretical notions and the discipline of Linguistics. There will be also a quick historical overview of the discipline and a detailed study on the classification of world's languages.
Main topics:
- Language and communication;
- The structure of the linguistic sign;
- The world's languages
Module 2: The pillars of linguistic analysis
This module will introduce the main levels of analysis of the various languages, by giving students the theoretical and methodological instruments to apply the notions learnt to different languages of the world.
Main topics:
- Phonetics and Phonology
- Morphology
- Syntax
- Lexicon & Semantics
Module 3: The variability of language
This module will address the topic of language use in different social contexts, and of linguistic variabilities in the different levels introduced in the previous module. The theoretical notions acquired in modules 1 and 2 will be applied to case-studies based on the most recent developments of the discipline, in particular in the fields of sociolinguistics and pragmatics.
Main topics:
- Pragmatics: language in use
- Ethnolinguistic
- Sociolinguistics
- Language contact and language loss
During the different modules various experts in linguistics will teach in guest 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.
Module 1: Linguistics and the study of language
The module introduces the main theoretical notions and the discipline of Linguistics. There will be also a quick historical overview of the discipline and a detailed study on the classification of world's languages.
Main topics:
- Language and communication;
- The structure of the linguistic sign;
- The world's languages
Module 2: The pillars of linguistic analysis
This module will introduce the main levels of analysis of the various languages, by giving students the theoretical and methodological instruments to apply the notions learnt to different languages of the world.
Main topics:
- Phonetics and Phonology
- Morphology
- Syntax
- Lexicon & Semantics
Module 3: The variability of language
This module will address the topic of language use in different social contexts, and of linguistic variabilities in the different levels introduced in the previous module. The theoretical notions acquired in modules 1 and 2 will be applied to case-studies based on the most recent developments of the discipline, in particular in the fields of sociolinguistics and pragmatics.
Main topics:
- Pragmatics: language in use
- Ethnolinguistic
- Sociolinguistics
- Language contact and language loss
During the different modules various experts in linguistics will teach in guest 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
No prerequisites are required for this course.
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.
- 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
Bibliography (nuovo testo da inserire in W4):
Attending students:
- Basile, G.; Casadei, F.; Lorenzetti, L.; Schirru, G.; Thornton, A.M. Linguistica generale, Roma: Carocci, 2010 or following editions [with the exception of chapters 6.3, 8.2 and 8.4]
- Graffi, G. Breve storia della linguistica, Roma: Carocci, 2020 or following editions (only chapters 5, 6 e 7);
- Meluzzi, C. & Nese, N. (eds.) Metodi e prospettive della ricerca linguistica, Milano: Ledizioni, 2022 (only chapters 2, 3, 4 and 5). Warning: The pdf version of the book is downloadable as Open Access and i twill be uploaded on Ariel;
- Cardona, G.R., Introduzione all'etnolinguistica, Torino: UTET, 2006 or following editions (only chapters 4, 5, 7 and 8).
- Slides, lesson notes, exercises and materials on Ariel.
Not attending students:
- Basile, G.; Casadei, F.; Lorenzetti, L.; Schirru, G.; Thornton, A.M. Linguistica generale, Roma: Carocci, 2010 or following editions [whole book];
- Banfi, E.; Grandi, N., Lingue d'Europa. Elementi di storia e di tipologia linguistica, Roma: Carocci, 2020 and following editions (only chapters 1, 4 e 5).
- Graffi, G. Breve storia della linguistica, Roma: Carocci, 2020 or following editions [whole book];
- Cardona, G.R., Introduzione all'etnolinguistica, Torino: UTET, 2006 or following editions editions (only chapters 4, 5, 7 and 8)
- Meluzzi, C. & Nese, N. (eds.) Metodi e prospettive della ricerca linguistica, Milano: Ledizioni, 2022 (only chapters 2, 3, 4 and 5). Warning: The pdf version of the book is downloadable as Open Access and i twill be uploaded on Ariel;
- (for exercises, not mandatory but strongly 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).
Attending students:
- Basile, G.; Casadei, F.; Lorenzetti, L.; Schirru, G.; Thornton, A.M. Linguistica generale, Roma: Carocci, 2010 or following editions [with the exception of chapters 6.3, 8.2 and 8.4]
- Graffi, G. Breve storia della linguistica, Roma: Carocci, 2020 or following editions (only chapters 5, 6 e 7);
- Meluzzi, C. & Nese, N. (eds.) Metodi e prospettive della ricerca linguistica, Milano: Ledizioni, 2022 (only chapters 2, 3, 4 and 5). Warning: The pdf version of the book is downloadable as Open Access and i twill be uploaded on Ariel;
- Cardona, G.R., Introduzione all'etnolinguistica, Torino: UTET, 2006 or following editions (only chapters 4, 5, 7 and 8).
- Slides, lesson notes, exercises and materials on Ariel.
Not attending students:
- Basile, G.; Casadei, F.; Lorenzetti, L.; Schirru, G.; Thornton, A.M. Linguistica generale, Roma: Carocci, 2010 or following editions [whole book];
- Banfi, E.; Grandi, N., Lingue d'Europa. Elementi di storia e di tipologia linguistica, Roma: Carocci, 2020 and following editions (only chapters 1, 4 e 5).
- Graffi, G. Breve storia della linguistica, Roma: Carocci, 2020 or following editions [whole book];
- Cardona, G.R., Introduzione all'etnolinguistica, Torino: UTET, 2006 or following editions editions (only chapters 4, 5, 7 and 8)
- Meluzzi, C. & Nese, N. (eds.) Metodi e prospettive della ricerca linguistica, Milano: Ledizioni, 2022 (only chapters 2, 3, 4 and 5). Warning: The pdf version of the book is downloadable as Open Access and i twill be uploaded on Ariel;
- (for exercises, not mandatory but strongly 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
ORAL TEST
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.
Every student must take part in the oral test.
Students who have already tried and succeeded in the midterm tests (see below) will not be questioned on the parts already been tested in the midterms (exercises and definitions).
The final score will be calculated as the mean between the score in the midterm tests and the oral exam.
MIDTERM TESTS
Only for attending students.
Written tests, 1 for each module. Every test contains 10 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 in all midterm tests, this score will be mediated with the one obtained at the oral exam. That is, the final evaluation (in thirties) will be calculated as the mean between the midterm tests and the oral exam.
In case of students who have successfully passed midterm tests, the oral exam will focus only on the last two learning outcomes, that is:
- Exemplification of theoretical concepts;
- Critical discussion of the examples of application of linguistic analysis to the variability of human language.
WARNING: It's possible to accept the result of midterm tests only during the Exam session of December and January/February. After that date, student must repeat the whole exam as an oral one.
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.
Every student must take part in the oral test.
Students who have already tried and succeeded in the midterm tests (see below) will not be questioned on the parts already been tested in the midterms (exercises and definitions).
The final score will be calculated as the mean between the score in the midterm tests and the oral exam.
MIDTERM TESTS
Only for attending students.
Written tests, 1 for each module. Every test contains 10 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 in all midterm tests, this score will be mediated with the one obtained at the oral exam. That is, the final evaluation (in thirties) will be calculated as the mean between the midterm tests and the oral exam.
In case of students who have successfully passed midterm tests, the oral exam will focus only on the last two learning outcomes, that is:
- Exemplification of theoretical concepts;
- Critical discussion of the examples of application of linguistic analysis to the variability of human language.
WARNING: It's possible to accept the result of midterm tests only during the Exam session of December and January/February. After that date, student must repeat the whole exam as an oral one.
L-LIN/01 - HISTORICAL AND GENERAL LINGUISTICS - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professor:
Meluzzi Chiara
Professor(s)
Reception:
Wed. 9:30 - 12:30 AM (it is suggested to book an appointement by writing an email)
Professor's office (STANZA AP.025, AT_Piano Ammezzato Terra, via Festa del Perdono, 7)