French (MA)
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students of French with an in-depth knowledge of the French language system in the various communicative situations in which it is used, allowing them to discover the specificities of the different varieties in use outside France and to develop critical thinking skills about the language. On a practical level, it aims to develop oral and written skills in reception, production and interaction, corresponding to level C1 of the CEFR.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students should have acquired: knowledge of synchronic linguistics and sociolinguistics useful for understanding and describing the variation of French in the different contexts considered; knowledge and understanding of spoken and written French in authentic corpora and in various types of spoken and written texts. Students should also have acquired skills corresponding to level C1 for all linguistic-communicative activities.
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
This course is addressed to students enrolled in Languages and Literatures for Education, Criticism and Translation (CBD) from the academic year 2025/2026 and to those enrolled in European and Non-European Languages and Literatures (C73) from the academic year 2024/2025 onwards
The monographic course, entitled "Dynamiques linguistiques du français contemporain", aims to describe the use of contemporary French in different communicative situations and social contexts, in France and in some French-speaking areas. It is divided into three parts:
A: Introduction to linguistic variation and spontaneous spoken French
B: French Variation in France
C: Varieties of French in Francophone areas
The first part introduces the basic concepts essential for dealing with the subject and encourages reflection on the various factors that determine linguistic variation, examining in particular the characteristics of spoken French through the analysis of some authentic conversations, with a special focus on the variability in the pronunciation of the silent 'e' and the use of different types of liaison.
In the second part, we will examine certain varieties influenced by the communicative context, as well as socio-cultural and regional factors, focusing on specific phonetic, morphosyntactic and lexical features.
The third part explores certain aspects of spoken French in Francophone regions, through oral conversations that will provide concrete examples of the main phonetic, morphosyntactic and lexical features.
The study of variation phenomena will be enriched by critical readings and reflections on their representation in written texts.
The monographic course, entitled "Dynamiques linguistiques du français contemporain", aims to describe the use of contemporary French in different communicative situations and social contexts, in France and in some French-speaking areas. It is divided into three parts:
A: Introduction to linguistic variation and spontaneous spoken French
B: French Variation in France
C: Varieties of French in Francophone areas
The first part introduces the basic concepts essential for dealing with the subject and encourages reflection on the various factors that determine linguistic variation, examining in particular the characteristics of spoken French through the analysis of some authentic conversations, with a special focus on the variability in the pronunciation of the silent 'e' and the use of different types of liaison.
In the second part, we will examine certain varieties influenced by the communicative context, as well as socio-cultural and regional factors, focusing on specific phonetic, morphosyntactic and lexical features.
The third part explores certain aspects of spoken French in Francophone regions, through oral conversations that will provide concrete examples of the main phonetic, morphosyntactic and lexical features.
The study of variation phenomena will be enriched by critical readings and reflections on their representation in written texts.
Prerequisites for admission
Lessons will be taught entirely in French. Textbooks and activities in class or for self study assume that students already have a linguistic competence of level B2.
Teaching methods
The course is taught face-to-face and uses the following teaching methods: lectures and practical activities. Students who are unable to attend the lectures will prepare using the reading list for non-attending students.
Teaching Resources
REFERENCE MATERIALS FOR FOR ATTENDING AND NON ATTENDING STUDENTS
- S. Detey et al., Les variétés du français parlé dans l'espace francophone. Ressources pour l'enseignement, Paris, Ophrys, 2010 (disponibile in biblioteca)
- C. Blanche-Benveniste, « La langue parlée », in Marina Yaguello (dir.), Le grand livre de la langue française, Paris, Seuil, 2003, pp. 317-344. (disponibile in biblioteca)
- C. Brancaglion et P. Puccini, "La francophonie", in Le français de nos jours, Roma, Carocci, 2023, pp.
183-214
- Documents from corpus Phonologie du français contemporain, (https://www.projet-pfc.net/)
- Materials proposed during the lessons (will be available on the teaching platform)
ADDITIONAL STUDIES FOR NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS
Will be available at the beginning of the lessons, in the second semester.
- S. Detey et al., Les variétés du français parlé dans l'espace francophone. Ressources pour l'enseignement, Paris, Ophrys, 2010 (disponibile in biblioteca)
- C. Blanche-Benveniste, « La langue parlée », in Marina Yaguello (dir.), Le grand livre de la langue française, Paris, Seuil, 2003, pp. 317-344. (disponibile in biblioteca)
- C. Brancaglion et P. Puccini, "La francophonie", in Le français de nos jours, Roma, Carocci, 2023, pp.
183-214
- Documents from corpus Phonologie du français contemporain, (https://www.projet-pfc.net/)
- Materials proposed during the lessons (will be available on the teaching platform)
ADDITIONAL STUDIES FOR NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS
Will be available at the beginning of the lessons, in the second semester.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The course includes practical exercises to prepare for the written part and a monographic course. The WRITTEN EXAM consists of a synthesising of textual and audiovisual documents relating to the same topic. The MONOGRAPHIC COURSE will be assessed through an oral exam in French on the topics covered in the programme, aimed at assessing knowledge of the content and the ability to reflect on the phenomena studied, including though analysis of the documents proposed during the lessons and made available on educational platforms. Part A of the course also includes a practical task consisting of transcribing an oral document and analysing the typical phenomena of spontaneous speech found therein. Non-attending students must agree on this task directly with the teacher.
There will be a single exam score, which will take into account the results of the written exam and the various parts of the monographic course. The written and oral parts of the exam must refer to the same programme and can be taken in any order. There will be ongoing tests for attending students. The exam can be taken from May 2027 to September 2028 (the programme is valid for oral exams from June 2027 to September 2028 and for written exams from May 2027 to January 2028).
INTERNATIONAL students or incoming ERASMUS students are invited to quickly contact the teacher. The examination procedures for students with disabilities and/or DSA must be agreed with the teacher, in accordance with the responsible Office.
There will be a single exam score, which will take into account the results of the written exam and the various parts of the monographic course. The written and oral parts of the exam must refer to the same programme and can be taken in any order. There will be ongoing tests for attending students. The exam can be taken from May 2027 to September 2028 (the programme is valid for oral exams from June 2027 to September 2028 and for written exams from May 2027 to January 2028).
INTERNATIONAL students or incoming ERASMUS students are invited to quickly contact the teacher. The examination procedures for students with disabilities and/or DSA must be agreed with the teacher, in accordance with the responsible Office.
Modules or teaching units
Part A and B
FRAN-01/B - French Language, Translation and Linguistics - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Brancaglion Maria Cristina
Part C
FRAN-01/B - French Language, Translation and Linguistics - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor:
Brancaglion Maria Cristina
Professor(s)
Reception:
Piazza S. Alessandro, 1 - sezione di francesistica