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Contact Linguistics

A.Y. 2025/2026
6
Max ECTS
40
Overall hours
SSD
L-LIN/01
Language
Italian
Learning objectives
Il corso si propone di introdurre gli studenti allo studio dei fenomeni di innovazione che si sviluppano nei contesti plurilingui, laddove l'uso sociale di più lingue dà luogo a fenomeni significativi di interferenza. In particolare verranno forniti gli strumenti per l'analisi dei fenomeni di contatto che hanno ricadute sui vari livelli di organizzazione del linguaggio umano (fonologia, morfologia, sintassi, lessico) e sull'uso storico-sociale delle lingue. Si proporranno inoltre approfondimenti sulle funzioni specifiche dell'uso di più lingue in diversi prodotti della comunicazione e dei media.
Expected learning outcomes
Le tematiche affrontate intendono fornire agli studenti un'adeguata conoscenza delle dinamiche linguistiche e storico-sociali delle comunità e dei contesti plurilingui, in cui cioè si usano ordinariamente più lingue. Da tali conoscenze scaturiscono le competenze specifiche sia per l'analisi critica delle innovazioni lessicali e strutturali che sorgono in seguito al contatto tra lingue, sia per la valorizzazione del plurilinguismo al fine di un'elaborazione consapevole di prodotti della comunicazione.

Lessons timetable

Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi

Exams calendar

Single course

This course can be attended as a single course.

Take a single course
Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Responsible
Meluzzi Chiara
Course syllabus
The course aims to provide to the students the tools and the methods of analysis of the linguistic phenomena connected with language contact and plurlingualism. In particular, Part A will offer a rich overview on the innovations arisen by language contact in the domain of lexicon, phonology, and morphology. In the second part (Part B), we will analyze instances of dynamics of linguistic contact in South-East Asia. Case studies will be presented and discussed regarding linguistic contact both in the structure (at the phonological, morphological and syntactic levels) and in discourse (at conversational and pragmatic level), by analyzing the outcomes of the linguistic contact in synchronic and diachronic perspective. Finally, Part C will address the topic of deliberate linguistic changes, particularly in language contact situations.
Prerequisites for admission
In order to approach correctly the study of Contact Linguistics the students must have solid bases in Linguistics. The students that have not sustained an exam of General Linguistics (Linguistica generale) or Linguistics (Glottologia) will replace the Unit B with the study of the volume G. GRAFFI- S. SCALISE, "Le lingue e il linguaggio. Introduzione alla linguistica", Bologna, il Mulino, 2013 or later editions.
IMPORTANT: the students belonging to Lingue e Letterature straniere (classe l-10) and Lingue e Letterature Europee ed Extraeuropee (classe lm-37), according to the regulation of their degree courses, can sustain the exam of Contact Linguistics only after the exam of General Linguistics (Linguistica generale per Lingue).
Teaching methods
The contents of the course will be explained in frontal lessons with the help of slides and teaching materials that will be available to the students on the Ariel website.
Teaching Resources
1) For attending students:

Part A

- Lesson notes.
- Materials provided by the teacher.
- A volume chosen in the following list:
F. GUERINI- S. DAL NEGRO, Contatto. Dinamiche ed esiti del plurilinguismo, Roma, Aracne, 2007.
M. SALA, Lenguas en contacto, 2a ed., Madrid, Grados, 1998.
S. THOMASON, Language contact: an introduction, Edinburgh, Edinburgh University Press 2001.

Part B

- Lesson notes.
- Materials provided by the teacher.
- Banfi, E. & Grandi, N. Le lingue extraeuropee. Asia e Africa, Roma, Carocci, chapters 9-10.
- Banfi, E. & Grandi, N. Le lingue extraeuropee. America, Australia e Lingue di contatto, Roma, Carocci, chapters 5-6.

PART C

- Lesson notes.
- Materials provided by the teacher.


2) For non-attending students:

Part A

- A volume chosen in the following list:
F. GUERINI- S. DAL NEGRO, Contatto. Dinamiche ed esiti del plurilinguismo, Roma, Aracne, 2007.
M. SALA, Lenguas en contacto, 2a ed., Madrid, Grados, 1998.
S. THOMASON, Language contact: an introduction, Edinburgh, Edinburgh University Press 2001.

- R. GUSMANI, Saggi sull'interferenza linguistica, 2a edizione accresciuta, Firenze, Le lettere, 1986.

Part B

- Y. MATRAS, Language Contact, Cambridge, CUP, 2009, chapters. 8 and 9.
- Banfi, E. & Grandi, N. Le lingue extraeuropee. Asia e Africa, Roma, Carocci, chapters 9-10.
- Banfi, E. & Grandi, N. Le lingue extraeuropee. America, Australia e Lingue di contatto, Roma, Carocci, chapters 5-6.
- Diller, A.; Edmondson, J.A. & Luo. Y. (2012) The Tai-Kadai languages, London, Routledge, chapters 15-18.

PART C

- S. THOMASON, Language Contact and Deliberate Change, «Journal of Language Contact» 1/1 (2007), pp. 41-62.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final assessment will derive from an oral exam concerning the contents of the program. The oral exam aims to verify the knowledge acquired by the students in the basic topics of Contact Linguistics and their capability to apply methods of linguistic analysis to linguistic innovations arisen by contact.

The grade is expressed in thirtieths. The minimum grade to pass the exam is 18/30.
L-LIN/01 - HISTORICAL AND GENERAL LINGUISTICS - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professors: Dede' Francesco, Meluzzi Chiara
Professor(s)
Meluzzi Chiara
Web site
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)