Teaching Workshop: the Transformations of the German Language
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The workshop aims to help students understand the mechanisms that led to the current aspect of German through the reading and analysis of texts from various periods. Particular attention is paid to the evolution of phonetics, morphology and semantics.
Expected learning outcomes
Ability to identify the linguistic specificities of texts belonging to previous stages of the language; understanding of the mechanisms that led to the current phonetic, morphological and semantic characteristics of the German language.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Giudizio di approvazione
Assessment result: superato/non superato
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
Each lesson will focus on a different peculiarity of German. Students will learn to write in the old German handwriting, to identify borrowings and to understand spelling principles. On the basis of quotations from authors of different centuries, they will also learn about the mechanisms of semantic change in order to become more aware of diachronic false friends. The reading of short texts will provide an overview of the evolution of German.
Prerequisites for admission
Knowledge of German language (B1).
Teaching methods
The course adopts the following teaching methods: lectures; group reading and commentary of texts.
Teaching Resources
The material will be provided by the teacher.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The workshop ends with a short final individual interview, which includes questions asked by the teacher, interactions between teacher and student about the topics discussed in the workshop.
The accreditation of the 3 cfu will be linked to the frequency of 75% of the meetings and to the passing of the verification interview.
The accreditation of the 3 cfu will be linked to the frequency of 75% of the meetings and to the passing of the verification interview.
Professor(s)