Latin American Linguistics

The course introduces to the study of the Spanish language in America. Its aims is to deal with the phenomenon of linguistic variation and the contact of Spanish with native American languages through specific case studies. In addition, the course deals with central themes of critical sociolinguistics and Critical Discourse Studies, with regard to the Hispanic American context and in a socio-cultural perspective. Also it allows to acquire, in its applied dimension, the methodological tools in order to carry out a research project in these fields of study.

At the end of the course, the student will be able to:
- Illustrate the main characteristics of the phenomenon of the variation of Spanish in America and the contact with indigenous languages, through a diachronic and synchronic perspective.
- Recognise and describe the sociolinguistic aspects and the phonetic-phonological, morphosyntactic and lexical characteristics of the varieties of Spanish examined.
- To discuss the theoretical categories in the field of critical sociolinguistics and critical discourse analysis examined during the course.
- To know and apply the methodologies in the fields of critical sociolinguistics and critical discourse analysis examined during the course.