Theoretical Linguistics Ma
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims at providing a deeper learning on topics that are foundational and crucial in the sciences of language, according to a specifically theoretical and general perspective.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge: at the end of the course, the student will acquire specialized knowledge in Theoretical Linguistics. These notions are based on the study of the structures, the phenomena, and the tendencies shown by the languages of the world, and are framed in a general and theoretical perspective.
Skills: at the end of the course students will be able to describe, with awareness and in a correct, precise and metalinguistically adequate way, the notions, the categories, the phenomena, and also the instruments of analysis that characterize the science of language, according to the epistemic, methodological and theoretical coordinates within those facts are located.
Skills: at the end of the course students will be able to describe, with awareness and in a correct, precise and metalinguistically adequate way, the notions, the categories, the phenomena, and also the instruments of analysis that characterize the science of language, according to the epistemic, methodological and theoretical coordinates within those facts are located.
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 aims to explore the limits determined on the principle of linguistic arbitrariness by motivation, both of lexical meanings and grammatical structures. It therefore offers an introduction to the cognitive paradigm and theories of embodied cognition and metaphor, in order to examine more specifically metaphoric projection both as a generator of polysemy and as a factor that motivates morphology (through grammaticalization) and syntax (the so-called grammatical metaphors) of human languages.
Prerequisites for admission
The course is addressed to those students who have already taken a course either in Linguistics or in Theoretical Linguistics ('three year degree').
Teaching methods
The course is offered in a lecture format (40 h 6 ects). Learning materials are available online on the Ariel platform, in order to provide the attending students with the tools for a deeper reflection and critical awareness.
Teaching Resources
Bibliography for attending students:
. Michele Prandi, "Le metafore tra le figure: una mappa ragionata", Torino, UTET Università, 2021;
. Michele Prandi, Pierluigi Cuzzolin, Nicola Grandi, Maria Napoli, "Orizzonti della linguistica. Grammatica, tipologia, mutamento", Roma, Carocci, 2021;
. Teaching materials available on the Ariel web site of the course 2025-2026.
Bibliography for non attending students:
To this program, non-attending students are required to study:
. Bernd Heine, "Grammaticalization", in B. Joseph - R.D. Janda (eds.), "Handbook of historical Linguistics", Oxford, Blackwell, 2003, 575-601 (available online through Minerva).
Validity of the programme 2025-2026: September 2027.
. Michele Prandi, "Le metafore tra le figure: una mappa ragionata", Torino, UTET Università, 2021;
. Michele Prandi, Pierluigi Cuzzolin, Nicola Grandi, Maria Napoli, "Orizzonti della linguistica. Grammatica, tipologia, mutamento", Roma, Carocci, 2021;
. Teaching materials available on the Ariel web site of the course 2025-2026.
Bibliography for non attending students:
To this program, non-attending students are required to study:
. Bernd Heine, "Grammaticalization", in B. Joseph - R.D. Janda (eds.), "Handbook of historical Linguistics", Oxford, Blackwell, 2003, 575-601 (available online through Minerva).
Validity of the programme 2025-2026: September 2027.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam involves an oral, individual interview in order to ascertain learning results and the abilities to describe the specific topics of the course, to report them with conscious and critical awareness, and to show a deep and critical possession of methodological resources, theoretical coordinates and metalinguistic competences. The final evaluation will be expressed in thirtieths. 18/30 is the minimum grade to pass the exam.
International or Erasmus incoming students are kindly requested to contact the teacher of the course. Also students with disabilities 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 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.