French Language and Translation I
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The goal of the course is to provide students with the fundamental principles for understanding and translating complex texts, as well as with the tools for linguistic analysis needed to work in international communication and mediation. In particular, the course includes an in-depth study of specialised texts related to the fields of law, economics and social sciences, with a strong focus on the linguistic and translation-related implications of the spread of generative artificial intelligence. The course combines both theory and practice. It also includes preparation for the Diplôme de français des affaires C1, which is intended to develop students' oral and written comprehension and communication skills. By the end of the classes, students will achieve a C1 level of French according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), with particular expertise in corporate communication.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students will have acquired a range of lexical, grammatical and syntactical tools, as well as translation skills, enabling them to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, particularly in the domains of intercultural legal and corporate communication and international cooperation. These tools will also provide a solid foundation for students to build upon to independently expand their competencies in related areas.
Lesson period: year
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
year
Course syllabus
The monographic course is organized into four modules and a series of language practice sessions.
Module I (20 hours, 1st semester, Prof. Chiara Preite) - Definition and Reformulation for the Construction of a Glossary of Stereotypes
The first module is dedicated to the study of strategies of definition and reformulation, as well as linguistic tools useful for the dissemination and communication of knowledge. The theoretical approach will be accompanied by practical application in the creation of an informative glossary in French.
Module II (20 hours, 1st semester, Prof. Giuliano Rossi) - Analysis of Political Discourse
This module aims to introduce students to the basic concepts of political discourse analysis, focusing on key theoretical foundations of the discipline. Students will examine a corpus of texts related to both institutional and insurgent discourse during the Algerian War (including various types of real documents: official speeches, French media from different political leanings, and insurgent discourse from the Front de Libération Nationale), also considering the contemporary context and efforts to reconcile conflicting historical memories.
Module III (20 hours, 2nd semester, Prof. Chiara Preite) - Intercultural Communication
The third module (second semester) is focused on intercultural communication, with particular attention to cultural variation—identity-related, stereotypical, lexico-cultural, non-/paraverbal, and discursive implicit elements that shape communication practices.
Module IV (20 hours, 2nd semester, instructor TBA) - Analysis of Political Discourse
The fourth module serves as a continuation and deepening of the themes and content explored in Module II, and will take place during the second semester.
Language Practice Sessions
The practical sessions are dedicated to the techniques of compte-rendu d'écoute and synthèse, and are designed to develop students' oral and written comprehension and production skills.
Special attention will be given to vocabulary and the stylistic features of Business French, with the goal of equipping students with the foundational skills needed to prepare for the DFP Affaires diploma (Diplôme de Français Professionnel - Affaires) issued by the Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie de Paris (CCIP), at the advanced C1 level.
Module I (20 hours, 1st semester, Prof. Chiara Preite) - Definition and Reformulation for the Construction of a Glossary of Stereotypes
The first module is dedicated to the study of strategies of definition and reformulation, as well as linguistic tools useful for the dissemination and communication of knowledge. The theoretical approach will be accompanied by practical application in the creation of an informative glossary in French.
Module II (20 hours, 1st semester, Prof. Giuliano Rossi) - Analysis of Political Discourse
This module aims to introduce students to the basic concepts of political discourse analysis, focusing on key theoretical foundations of the discipline. Students will examine a corpus of texts related to both institutional and insurgent discourse during the Algerian War (including various types of real documents: official speeches, French media from different political leanings, and insurgent discourse from the Front de Libération Nationale), also considering the contemporary context and efforts to reconcile conflicting historical memories.
Module III (20 hours, 2nd semester, Prof. Chiara Preite) - Intercultural Communication
The third module (second semester) is focused on intercultural communication, with particular attention to cultural variation—identity-related, stereotypical, lexico-cultural, non-/paraverbal, and discursive implicit elements that shape communication practices.
Module IV (20 hours, 2nd semester, instructor TBA) - Analysis of Political Discourse
The fourth module serves as a continuation and deepening of the themes and content explored in Module II, and will take place during the second semester.
Language Practice Sessions
The practical sessions are dedicated to the techniques of compte-rendu d'écoute and synthèse, and are designed to develop students' oral and written comprehension and production skills.
Special attention will be given to vocabulary and the stylistic features of Business French, with the goal of equipping students with the foundational skills needed to prepare for the DFP Affaires diploma (Diplôme de Français Professionnel - Affaires) issued by the Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie de Paris (CCIP), at the advanced C1 level.
Prerequisites for admission
Students must have a knowledge of French equivalent to level B2 of the CEFR.
Teaching methods
During the monographic course, there will be lecture hours aimed at acquiring the aforementioned skills, during which students will take an active role in class activities.
The practical sessions are intended to support the learning and reinforcement of the morphosyntactic structures of the French language, initiate students into written production, and develop their linguistic and communicative skills.
The courses run throughout the academic year. Two internal assessments are scheduled for the language practice modules.
LANGUAGE PRACTICE MODULES
Language practice is organized into four modules, distributed as follows:
First semester
1) Finalized Oral Production - Business French (Level C1)
20 hours of exercises are dedicated to oral production, focusing on the lexical and formal aspects of Business French (Level C1).
The course is designed to prepare students for the Diplôme de français des affaires issued by the Chambre de Commerce de Paris - Île-de-France.
2) Compte-rendu d'écoute
20 hours of exercises are dedicated to mastering the compte-rendu d'écoute technique (listening report).
Second semester
3) Technique de la synthèse
20 hours of exercises are dedicated to the synthesis technique (technique de la synthèse).
4) Oral Production
20 hours aimed at refining oral presentation skills, also with the goal of helping students effectively prepare for the oral component of the final exam.
The practical sessions are intended to support the learning and reinforcement of the morphosyntactic structures of the French language, initiate students into written production, and develop their linguistic and communicative skills.
The courses run throughout the academic year. Two internal assessments are scheduled for the language practice modules.
LANGUAGE PRACTICE MODULES
Language practice is organized into four modules, distributed as follows:
First semester
1) Finalized Oral Production - Business French (Level C1)
20 hours of exercises are dedicated to oral production, focusing on the lexical and formal aspects of Business French (Level C1).
The course is designed to prepare students for the Diplôme de français des affaires issued by the Chambre de Commerce de Paris - Île-de-France.
2) Compte-rendu d'écoute
20 hours of exercises are dedicated to mastering the compte-rendu d'écoute technique (listening report).
Second semester
3) Technique de la synthèse
20 hours of exercises are dedicated to the synthesis technique (technique de la synthèse).
4) Oral Production
20 hours aimed at refining oral presentation skills, also with the goal of helping students effectively prepare for the oral component of the final exam.
Teaching Resources
READING LIST - MONOGRAPHIC COURSE
To actively participate in the lessons, students are required to obtain the reading materials—in particular, the course booklet prepared by the instructor—before the course begins.
Stora B., Histoire de la guerre d'Algérie, Paris, La Découverte, 2004
A. Krieg-Planque, Analyser les discours institutionnels, Armand Colin, 2017 [2012]
(only the chapters specifically indicated during the course)
D. Maingueneau, Analyser les textes de communication, Paris, Armand Colin, 2012 (or later editions)
Rossi G. (ed.), I discorsi politici e mediatici sulla guerra d'Algeria (1954-1962), Lumi, Milan, 2024
[Booklet available at Libreria LUMI, Sesto San Giovanni. Email: [email protected]; Tel. +39 02.83.41.38.30 or +39 338.995508]
Preite C. (ed.), Definizione e riformulazione. Comunicazione interculturale, Lumi, Milan, 2025
[Booklet available at Libreria LUMI, Sesto San Giovanni. Email: [email protected]; Tel. +39 02.83.41.38.30 or +39 338.995508]
Audiovisual materials provided during the course
Additional Reading for Non-Attending Students
For Modules I and III, students must choose one of the following volumes:
Jean-Baptiste Légal, Stéréotypes, préjugés et discrimination, Paris, Dunod (any edition)
Ruth Amossy, Anne Herschberg Pierrot, Stéréotypes et clichés. Langue, discours, société, Paris, Colin (any edition)
The full study of all texts listed in the reading list is an integral part of the course, unless otherwise specified.
The lecture slides, which will be uploaded to MyAriel after class, are essential supplementary materials, but do not replace the required readings.
READING LIST - LANGUAGE PRACTICE MODULES
1) Finalized Oral Production - Business French (Level C1)
- J.-L. Penfornis, Affaires.com - Niveau avancé B2-C1 (3rd ed.), CLE International, 2017 (with particular focus on the C1 level)
- Official website Français des affaires (candidate section), organized by proficiency level, including online simulations and the candidate guide:
https://www.lefrancaisdesaffaires.fr/candidat/diplomes-francais-professionnel/dfp-affaires/presentation/
2) Compte-rendu d'écoute
- Réussir le résumé et le compte-rendu, Editions Tegos, 2020 (free PDF available online):
https://www.editionstegos.com/REUSSIR%20LE%20RESUME%20ET%20LE%20COMPTE%20RENDU%20-%20EDITIONS%20TEGOS%20-%20EXEMPLE.pdf
- Chovelon Bernadette, Barthe Marie, Expression et style. Perfectionner son expression en français, PUG, 2015, ISBN 978-2-7061-2491-4
3) Technique de la synthèse
Cosmopolite 5, Méthode de français C1/C2, Hachette, Paris, ISBN 9782015135786
To actively participate in the lessons, students are required to obtain the reading materials—in particular, the course booklet prepared by the instructor—before the course begins.
Stora B., Histoire de la guerre d'Algérie, Paris, La Découverte, 2004
A. Krieg-Planque, Analyser les discours institutionnels, Armand Colin, 2017 [2012]
(only the chapters specifically indicated during the course)
D. Maingueneau, Analyser les textes de communication, Paris, Armand Colin, 2012 (or later editions)
Rossi G. (ed.), I discorsi politici e mediatici sulla guerra d'Algeria (1954-1962), Lumi, Milan, 2024
[Booklet available at Libreria LUMI, Sesto San Giovanni. Email: [email protected]; Tel. +39 02.83.41.38.30 or +39 338.995508]
Preite C. (ed.), Definizione e riformulazione. Comunicazione interculturale, Lumi, Milan, 2025
[Booklet available at Libreria LUMI, Sesto San Giovanni. Email: [email protected]; Tel. +39 02.83.41.38.30 or +39 338.995508]
Audiovisual materials provided during the course
Additional Reading for Non-Attending Students
For Modules I and III, students must choose one of the following volumes:
Jean-Baptiste Légal, Stéréotypes, préjugés et discrimination, Paris, Dunod (any edition)
Ruth Amossy, Anne Herschberg Pierrot, Stéréotypes et clichés. Langue, discours, société, Paris, Colin (any edition)
The full study of all texts listed in the reading list is an integral part of the course, unless otherwise specified.
The lecture slides, which will be uploaded to MyAriel after class, are essential supplementary materials, but do not replace the required readings.
READING LIST - LANGUAGE PRACTICE MODULES
1) Finalized Oral Production - Business French (Level C1)
- J.-L. Penfornis, Affaires.com - Niveau avancé B2-C1 (3rd ed.), CLE International, 2017 (with particular focus on the C1 level)
- Official website Français des affaires (candidate section), organized by proficiency level, including online simulations and the candidate guide:
https://www.lefrancaisdesaffaires.fr/candidat/diplomes-francais-professionnel/dfp-affaires/presentation/
2) Compte-rendu d'écoute
- Réussir le résumé et le compte-rendu, Editions Tegos, 2020 (free PDF available online):
https://www.editionstegos.com/REUSSIR%20LE%20RESUME%20ET%20LE%20COMPTE%20RENDU%20-%20EDITIONS%20TEGOS%20-%20EXEMPLE.pdf
- Chovelon Bernadette, Barthe Marie, Expression et style. Perfectionner son expression en français, PUG, 2015, ISBN 978-2-7061-2491-4
3) Technique de la synthèse
Cosmopolite 5, Méthode de français C1/C2, Hachette, Paris, ISBN 9782015135786
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of a written part (A) and an oral part (B), both mandatory.
Only students who have obtained a passing grade in both written tests of part (A) may take the oral exam.
The final evaluation will take into account the grades obtained in the written exams and the student's ability to navigate the concepts learned during the course, as well as their competence in critically and appropriately addressing and presenting them, also from a theoretical perspective.
A) WRITTEN EXAMS
The written exams are valid for three sessions (May, September, January).
FOR ATTENDING STUDENTS
The written part for attending students consists of two midterm exams, which will be held at the end of the first and second semester.
First semester
Compte-rendu d'écoute test (duration: 60 minutes): after listening to the assigned audio file, students will have 60 minutes to produce a text of approximately 300 words (±10%), highlighting the key points of the recording.
Second semester
2. Technique de la synthèse test (duration: 90 minutes): students will have 90 minutes to summarize a given text in 200-240 words, following the structure and formal requirements specific to a "synthèse".
Only students who take both midterm exams and achieve a passing grade in each of them may take the oral exam.
Students who, despite having passed, choose to reject the final grade of the two midterms will have to retake all the written tests during one of the official sessions (May, September, January).
FOR NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS
Non-attending students, as well as those who did not obtain a passing grade in the midterms, must take the written exam during one of the official sessions (May, September, January).
The written part for non-attending students consists of two tests:
A Compte-rendu d'écoute test.
A Synthèse test.
To pass the written exam, a passing grade must be obtained in both parts.
B) ORAL EXAM - FOR ALL STUDENTS
For both attending and non-attending students, the oral exam consists of an interview in French based on the texts listed in the bibliography of Modules 1-3 (Prof. Preite) and Modules 2-4 (Prof. Rossi).
The oral exam aims to assess linguistic and communicative skills, as well as the ability to apply the theoretical and methodological tools of the course to the reference texts.
For Modules 1-3:
Attending students: For the glossary article project, students will be divided into small groups and will regularly present their proposals for group discussion and finalization of each entry. This lexicographical work will be evaluated during the semester.
Theoretical content will be assessed during the oral exam, together with Module III - Intercultural Communication.
Non-attending students: They will be assessed during the oral exam on the theoretical content of Module I, supplemented by an additional bibliography (in place of the glossary project), and on Module III - Intercultural Communication.
Only students who have successfully passed the written exams may take the oral exam.
Only students who have obtained a passing grade in both written tests of part (A) may take the oral exam.
The final evaluation will take into account the grades obtained in the written exams and the student's ability to navigate the concepts learned during the course, as well as their competence in critically and appropriately addressing and presenting them, also from a theoretical perspective.
A) WRITTEN EXAMS
The written exams are valid for three sessions (May, September, January).
FOR ATTENDING STUDENTS
The written part for attending students consists of two midterm exams, which will be held at the end of the first and second semester.
First semester
Compte-rendu d'écoute test (duration: 60 minutes): after listening to the assigned audio file, students will have 60 minutes to produce a text of approximately 300 words (±10%), highlighting the key points of the recording.
Second semester
2. Technique de la synthèse test (duration: 90 minutes): students will have 90 minutes to summarize a given text in 200-240 words, following the structure and formal requirements specific to a "synthèse".
Only students who take both midterm exams and achieve a passing grade in each of them may take the oral exam.
Students who, despite having passed, choose to reject the final grade of the two midterms will have to retake all the written tests during one of the official sessions (May, September, January).
FOR NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS
Non-attending students, as well as those who did not obtain a passing grade in the midterms, must take the written exam during one of the official sessions (May, September, January).
The written part for non-attending students consists of two tests:
A Compte-rendu d'écoute test.
A Synthèse test.
To pass the written exam, a passing grade must be obtained in both parts.
B) ORAL EXAM - FOR ALL STUDENTS
For both attending and non-attending students, the oral exam consists of an interview in French based on the texts listed in the bibliography of Modules 1-3 (Prof. Preite) and Modules 2-4 (Prof. Rossi).
The oral exam aims to assess linguistic and communicative skills, as well as the ability to apply the theoretical and methodological tools of the course to the reference texts.
For Modules 1-3:
Attending students: For the glossary article project, students will be divided into small groups and will regularly present their proposals for group discussion and finalization of each entry. This lexicographical work will be evaluated during the semester.
Theoretical content will be assessed during the oral exam, together with Module III - Intercultural Communication.
Non-attending students: They will be assessed during the oral exam on the theoretical content of Module I, supplemented by an additional bibliography (in place of the glossary project), and on Module III - Intercultural Communication.
Only students who have successfully passed the written exams may take the oral exam.
L-LIN/04 - LANGUAGE AND TRANSLATION - FRENCH - University credits: 12
Lessons: 80 hours
Professors:
Preite Chiara, Rossi Giuliano
Professor(s)