Theoretical Linguistics
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
Educational objectives
The course aims at providing a deeper learning in theoretical Linguistics for those students who have already had a basic training in Linguistics and for those ones who have already had an exam in Linguistics; for this reason, the course is obligatorily propaedeutic to the other L-LIN/01 exams offered by LM-37 degree course. The course deals with the structural features that characterize the languages of the world, with regard either to their universal tendencies, and the domains of their mutual divergences. The course also aims to offer a knowledge of the history of linguistic thought and hermeneutic paradigms that have succeeded each other over time.
The course aims at providing a deeper learning in theoretical Linguistics for those students who have already had a basic training in Linguistics and for those ones who have already had an exam in Linguistics; for this reason, the course is obligatorily propaedeutic to the other L-LIN/01 exams offered by LM-37 degree course. The course deals with the structural features that characterize the languages of the world, with regard either to their universal tendencies, and the domains of their mutual divergences. The course also aims to offer a knowledge of the history of linguistic thought and hermeneutic paradigms that have succeeded each other over time.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge: At the end of the course, the student will have acquired specialized knowledge and skills related to Theoretical Linguistics, as result both of a deeper and more conscious understanding of the structures and the phenomena that characterize the languages of the world, and of a detailed consideration and critical awareness of the general, theoretical and methodological coordinates within the topics of the course are placed.
Skills: At the end of the course, the student will be asked to describe exactly the topics proposed and to report them with highly critical awareness, in order to show her/his adequate and deep possession of the methodological instruments and the founding notions of linguistic sciences. The student will be asked to be able to describe and to frame specific topics proposed into the more general horizon of Western linguistic reflection, its history and the different theoretical paradigms. The student should be able to identify and to explain clearly the specific phenomena exhibited by the languages of the world, and she/he should be able to interpret the empirical dimension with and thanks to the theoretical, methodological, and metalinguistic coordinates offered by the sciences of language and the course.
Skills: At the end of the course, the student will be asked to describe exactly the topics proposed and to report them with highly critical awareness, in order to show her/his adequate and deep possession of the methodological instruments and the founding notions of linguistic sciences. The student will be asked to be able to describe and to frame specific topics proposed into the more general horizon of Western linguistic reflection, its history and the different theoretical paradigms. The student should be able to identify and to explain clearly the specific phenomena exhibited by the languages of the world, and she/he should be able to interpret the empirical dimension with and thanks to the theoretical, methodological, and metalinguistic coordinates offered by the sciences of language and the course.
Lesson period: Second 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
Second semester
Course syllabus
The course deals with aspects of language theory with specific regard, on the one hand, to the cognitive paradigm and its relevance on the theories of metaphor up to the most recent developments, and, on the other hand, to the dimension of non-literality, considered with regard to the different "figure" (of conceptual content, communicative interaction and sound). Particular attention will be paid to the translational aspects of metaphor, both the "dead" metaphor of everyday language and the "living" metaphor of the literary creativity of European and non-European linguistic traditions.
Prerequisites for admission
Prerequisites for the admission: the course (40 h 6 ECTS) is for those students (LT and LM) who have already had a basic training in Linguistics and for those ones who have already had an exam in Linguistics and/or in Theoretical Linguistics. The course is obligatory preparatory and propaedeutic for every other L-LIN/01 ('Glottologia e Linguistica') exams offered by the LM-37 and LT degree courses.
The course will be held in Italian. Students will find on the 2024-2025 Ariel website of the course the informations concerning the course, the schedule of the lessons, all the details and updates of the activities, and any changes to the syllabus and the teaching material.
The course will be held in Italian. Students will find on the 2024-2025 Ariel website of the course the informations concerning the course, the schedule of the lessons, all the details and updates of the activities, and any changes to the syllabus and the teaching material.
Teaching methods
The course is offered in a lecture format in Italian. Teaching materials are available online on the Ariel e-learning platform of the course (2025-2026), in order to give the students tools and occasions for a deeper theoretical reflection and critical awareness.
Teaching Resources
Bibliography for attending students enrolled in LM-37 R ''Lingue e letterature moderne europee ed americane':
. William Croft - Alan D. Cruse, "Linguistica cognitiva" (edizione a cura di S. Luraghi), Roma, Carocci, 2010: chapters 1-5;
. Michele Prandi, "Le metafore tra le figure: una mappa ragionata", Torino, UTET Università, 2021;
. Online learning materials.
For attending students enrolled in the LM-37/65 R 'Teatro, Arti, Letterature. Studi internazionali sull'intermedialità', additional reading is required:
. Michele Prandi - Micaela Rossi (eds.), "Research Metaphors: Towards a Comprehensive Account", London, Routledge, 2022: Part 1 full reading; Parts 2 and 3 reading a choice of two papers.
Bibliography for non-attending students:
Non-attending students should add the study of the indicated volumes to that of:
. Stefano Arduini - Roberta Fabbri, "Che cos'è la linguistica cognitiva", Roma, Carocci, 2008.
. The course can also be taken by LT students who have passed the 'Glottologia' examination. In this case, the bibliography is as follows:
. Stefano Arduini - Roberta Fabbri, "Che cos'è la linguistica cognitiva", Roma, Carocci, 2008.
. Michele Prandi, "Le metafore tra le figure: una mappa ragionata", Torino, UTET Università, 2021;
. Teaching materials available on the Ariel web site of the course.
Validity of the programme 2025-2026: September 2027.
Validity of the programme 2025-2026: September 2027.
. William Croft - Alan D. Cruse, "Linguistica cognitiva" (edizione a cura di S. Luraghi), Roma, Carocci, 2010: chapters 1-5;
. Michele Prandi, "Le metafore tra le figure: una mappa ragionata", Torino, UTET Università, 2021;
. Online learning materials.
For attending students enrolled in the LM-37/65 R 'Teatro, Arti, Letterature. Studi internazionali sull'intermedialità', additional reading is required:
. Michele Prandi - Micaela Rossi (eds.), "Research Metaphors: Towards a Comprehensive Account", London, Routledge, 2022: Part 1 full reading; Parts 2 and 3 reading a choice of two papers.
Bibliography for non-attending students:
Non-attending students should add the study of the indicated volumes to that of:
. Stefano Arduini - Roberta Fabbri, "Che cos'è la linguistica cognitiva", Roma, Carocci, 2008.
. The course can also be taken by LT students who have passed the 'Glottologia' examination. In this case, the bibliography is as follows:
. Stefano Arduini - Roberta Fabbri, "Che cos'è la linguistica cognitiva", Roma, Carocci, 2008.
. Michele Prandi, "Le metafore tra le figure: una mappa ragionata", Torino, UTET Università, 2021;
. Teaching materials available on the Ariel web site of the course.
Validity of the programme 2025-2026: September 2027.
Validity of the programme 2025-2026: September 2027.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Assessment methods and criteria: the exam involves an oral, individual interview in Italian, in order to ascertain either learning outcomes concerning the specific topics proposed by the course, or the ability to report them with critical and autonomous awareness, by using a strongly theoretical approach and a precise and adequate metalanguage.
International or Erasmus incoming students are kindly requested to contact the teacher of the course. Also students with disabilities (SLD) should contact the teacher of the course, in order to discuss alternative examination methods, in agreement with the competent Office.
International or Erasmus incoming students are kindly requested to contact the teacher of the course. Also students with disabilities (SLD) should contact the teacher of the course, in order to discuss alternative examination methods, in agreement with the competent Office.
L-LIN/01 - HISTORICAL AND GENERAL LINGUISTICS - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Biondi Laura
Professor(s)
Reception:
Tuesday, 9.00-12.00 (First Semester). Tuesday, 16.30-18.30, Wednesday, 9.00-10.00 (II Semester)
Microsoft Teams Platform. Please, contact the teacher via email.