Linguistics
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
The course aims at providing a basic training and learning in Linguistics, and it leads to further deepening either in the field of linguistic sciences, or in the reflection about the (phonological, morphosyntactic, lexical) structures of the languages of the world. The course aims at offering a deeper knowledge of the structural features (concerning the different levels of linguistic analysis) and of the main phenomena shown by natural languages, in such a way to observe and to describe them according to a synchronic and a diachronic approach, with regard to the perspectives and the approaches of the historical and comparative (mainly Indo-European), typological, and areal Linguistics. This should be done also taking into consideration the history of linguistic thought and the different theoretical models that have characterized the Western tradition.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge: At the end of the course, the student will be able to identify, describe and explain specific structural features and phenomena specifically exhibited by individual languages, following both a diachronic and synchronic approach, and she/he will have to link them to the general categories and to the topics of linguistic analysis and description, to classify them with regard to the different methods and hermeneutic approaches of linguistic disciplines.
Skills: At the end of the course, the student will be asked, and to describe the topics of the course with an adequate and precise metalanguage, in order to show a basic possession of the methodological instruments and the founding notions of linguistic sciences. The student should be able to identify and to explain clearly the specific empirical phenomena exhibited by the languages with her/his own words and within the theoretical and methodological coordinates suggested by the course.
Skills: At the end of the course, the student will be asked, and to describe the topics of the course with an adequate and precise metalanguage, in order to show a basic possession of the methodological instruments and the founding notions of linguistic sciences. The student should be able to identify and to explain clearly the specific empirical phenomena exhibited by the languages with her/his own words and within the theoretical and methodological coordinates suggested by the course.
Lesson period: First 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
Group 1A
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Modules or teaching units
Part A and B
GLOT-01/A - Historical and General Linguistics - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Vai Massimo
Part C
GLOT-01/A - Historical and General Linguistics - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor:
Vai Massimo
Group 1B
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The course is entitled "The human language: synchrony and diachrony" and is structured in 3 parts:
Part A (20 hours, 3 cfu): The architecture of human language
Part B (20 hours, 3 cfu): Language change: aspects and issues
Part C (20 hours, 3 cfu): Indo-European comparative-historical linguistics: methods and results
The three parts are indivisible. The course takes place in the first semester.
The course aims to provide a general introduction to linguistics and ideally represents for the students the occasion to acquire the theoretical prerequisites necessary to face other courses focusing on language science or on the linguistic structure of single languages.
The topics presented the course deals with will provide to the students:
a) theoretical and empirical tools for the analysis of the human language, of its structures and of its use
b) knowledge of the metalinguistic terminology in use in linguistics now and in the past
c) awareness of language change and methodology to describe it
d) specific abilities in applying the comparative methods to Indo-European languages
The course is accompanied by supplementary exercises, and students who complete them will be allowed to take a midterm exam covering the content of the book "Lingue d'Europa" (see Reference Materials).
This course is in presence and it is open only to undergraduate attending students whose last names begin with a letter between A and L and to non-attending students whose last names begin with a letter between A and D.
In order to ensure an appropriate class size, students are not permitted to switch groups.
The programmes of the different editions of the course are equivalent, while still reflecting the faculty members' research specializations.
Part A (20 hours, 3 cfu): The architecture of human language
Part B (20 hours, 3 cfu): Language change: aspects and issues
Part C (20 hours, 3 cfu): Indo-European comparative-historical linguistics: methods and results
The three parts are indivisible. The course takes place in the first semester.
The course aims to provide a general introduction to linguistics and ideally represents for the students the occasion to acquire the theoretical prerequisites necessary to face other courses focusing on language science or on the linguistic structure of single languages.
The topics presented the course deals with will provide to the students:
a) theoretical and empirical tools for the analysis of the human language, of its structures and of its use
b) knowledge of the metalinguistic terminology in use in linguistics now and in the past
c) awareness of language change and methodology to describe it
d) specific abilities in applying the comparative methods to Indo-European languages
The course is accompanied by supplementary exercises, and students who complete them will be allowed to take a midterm exam covering the content of the book "Lingue d'Europa" (see Reference Materials).
This course is in presence and it is open only to undergraduate attending students whose last names begin with a letter between A and L and to non-attending students whose last names begin with a letter between A and D.
In order to ensure an appropriate class size, students are not permitted to switch groups.
The programmes of the different editions of the course are equivalent, while still reflecting the faculty members' research specializations.
Prerequisites for admission
Knowledge of Italian language.
Teaching methods
The course is held in Italian and adopts the following teaching methods: frontal lessons, with theoretical explanations and analysis and discussion of linguistic data. The course is in presence (Alfa mode) and includes 6 hours of distance learning dedicated to applying theoretical concepts to the analysis of empirical cases (topic 1 of the programme).
Teaching Resources
G. Berruto - M. Cerruti, La linguistica. Un corso introduttivo, Novara, UTET Università, 2011 or later edtions.
- E. Banfi - N. Grandi, Lingue d'Europa. Elementi di storia e di tipologia linguistica, Roma, Carocci, 2003 or later edtions.
- F. Fanciullo, Introduzione alla linguistica storica, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2013 or later edtions.
- G. Graffi, Breve storia della linguistica, Roma, Carocci, 2019, chapters 5-7 (L'Ottocento, La prima metà del Novecento, La linguistica contemporanea).
- teaching materials pubblished on the platfom Ariel.
Non attending students will replace the materials pubblished on the platform Ariel with the study of the following book:
- R. Lazzeroni (a cura di), Linguistica storica, Roma, Carocci, 2002 or later edtions, chapters I (R. Lazzeroni, Il mutamento linguistico), III (R. Gusmani, Interlinguistica) e V (E. De Felice, Onomastica)
Non-attending students are requested to meet prof. Andrea Scala during his office hours before starting to study the exam program.
- E. Banfi - N. Grandi, Lingue d'Europa. Elementi di storia e di tipologia linguistica, Roma, Carocci, 2003 or later edtions.
- F. Fanciullo, Introduzione alla linguistica storica, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2013 or later edtions.
- G. Graffi, Breve storia della linguistica, Roma, Carocci, 2019, chapters 5-7 (L'Ottocento, La prima metà del Novecento, La linguistica contemporanea).
- teaching materials pubblished on the platfom Ariel.
Non attending students will replace the materials pubblished on the platform Ariel with the study of the following book:
- R. Lazzeroni (a cura di), Linguistica storica, Roma, Carocci, 2002 or later edtions, chapters I (R. Lazzeroni, Il mutamento linguistico), III (R. Gusmani, Interlinguistica) e V (E. De Felice, Onomastica)
Non-attending students are requested to meet prof. Andrea Scala during his office hours before starting to study the exam program.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final assessment will derive from an individual oral exam concerning the contents of the program. The exam language is Italian. During the exam the teacher will pose questions and will request the students to analyze properly linguistic data. The duration of the oral exam can vary, but is generally estimated in 30 mins. The oral exam aims to verify the knowledge acquired by the students in the basic topics of linguistics and their capability to apply methods of linguistic description and analysis to linguistic data both in synchronic and diachronic perspective. The final evaluation will be expressed in thirtieths and can be refused by the student (in that case the result of the exam will registered as "ritirato", i.e. retreated). 18/30 is the minimum grade to pass the exam. International students and Erasmus incoming students are invited to contact the teacher in charge of the course in a timely manner. The examination procedures for students with disabilities, including learning disabilities, must be agreed with the teacher, in agreement with the competent office.
Modules or teaching units
Part A and B
GLOT-01/A - Historical and General Linguistics - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Scala Andrea
Part C
GLOT-01/A - Historical and General Linguistics - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor:
Scala Andrea
Group 1C
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
A- Bibliography for attending students:
. G. Berruto - M. Cerruti, "La linguistica. Un corso introduttivo. Terza edizione", Novara, UTET Università, 2022.
. G. Graffi, "Breve storia della linguistica", Roma, Carocci, 2019, capitoli 1, 5-7 (pp. 13-16, 107-230).
. Learning materials prepared by the lecturer (text files, audiovisual materials, written test held during the course).
. E. Banfi - N. Grandi," Lingue d'Europa. Elementi di storia e di tipologia linguistica", Roma, Carocci, nuova edizione 2021.
B- To this bibliography, non-attending students will have to add:
. F. Fanciullo, "Introduzione alla linguistica storica. Quarta edizione", Bologna, Il Mulino, 2022.
. Non-attending students are exempt from studying the materials made available on the course website.
Validity of the program: february 2028.
. G. Berruto - M. Cerruti, "La linguistica. Un corso introduttivo. Terza edizione", Novara, UTET Università, 2022.
. G. Graffi, "Breve storia della linguistica", Roma, Carocci, 2019, capitoli 1, 5-7 (pp. 13-16, 107-230).
. Learning materials prepared by the lecturer (text files, audiovisual materials, written test held during the course).
. E. Banfi - N. Grandi," Lingue d'Europa. Elementi di storia e di tipologia linguistica", Roma, Carocci, nuova edizione 2021.
B- To this bibliography, non-attending students will have to add:
. F. Fanciullo, "Introduzione alla linguistica storica. Quarta edizione", Bologna, Il Mulino, 2022.
. Non-attending students are exempt from studying the materials made available on the course website.
Validity of the program: february 2028.
Prerequisites for admission
Prerequisites for admission: none.
Teaching methods
The various editions of the Linguistics courses, A-C, are substantially equivalent in terms of teaching approach and subject content.
However, as a specific feature, Course C includes lectures and interactive, assessment and monitoring activities in Italian, comprising both synchronous face-to-face and asynchronous lecture-based teaching (DE), as well as synchronous and asynchronous interactive teaching (DI) delivered remotely.
The lecture-based teaching (DE) component will comprise one-third of the course activities and will take place during the first of the three weekly lessons scheduled for Course C. It will include synchronous face-to-face sessions aimed at teacher-student interaction, both to explore key course topics - as presented in the interactive lessons and/or in the (asynchronous) teaching materials designed by the lecturer - and to provide feedback on the monitoring activities carried out during the interactive teaching (DI) sessions.
The interactive teaching (DI) component accounts for two-thirds of the course's total activities and will take place during the second and third of the three weekly lessons scheduled for the course. The interactive teaching sessions, both synchronous and asynchronous (timetable to be confirmed), are designed to deliver the core course content presented by the lecturer in a dialogue-based format, alongside other training, assessment and e-tivity activities; specifically, these will consist of exercises and monitoring with periodic assessments timed to coincide with the various stages of the course and covering its thematic areas (phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics).
Course C also offers 30 hours of online tutoring to help students consolidate their skills in the subject, which will be delivered in close coordination with the DE and DI activities, online.
All teaching materials for distance learning (DE) and blended learning (DI) will be available online for attending students on the myAriel e-learning platform for the 2026-2027 academic year, to provide enrolled students with structured and coordinated opportunities for deeper reflection and greater critical awareness of the main themes in language sciences, as well as tools for assessing and self-assessing the knowledge acquired progressively throughout the course.
Students attending the course are required to complete all the scheduled activities (tests and assessments) before the oral exam.
Marks are out of 30; minimum passing grade 18/30.
International or Erasmus incoming students are kindly requested to contact the teacher of the course ([email protected]). Also students with disabilities (SLD) should contact the teacher ([email protected]), in order to discuss alternative examination methods, in agreement with the competent Office.
However, as a specific feature, Course C includes lectures and interactive, assessment and monitoring activities in Italian, comprising both synchronous face-to-face and asynchronous lecture-based teaching (DE), as well as synchronous and asynchronous interactive teaching (DI) delivered remotely.
The lecture-based teaching (DE) component will comprise one-third of the course activities and will take place during the first of the three weekly lessons scheduled for Course C. It will include synchronous face-to-face sessions aimed at teacher-student interaction, both to explore key course topics - as presented in the interactive lessons and/or in the (asynchronous) teaching materials designed by the lecturer - and to provide feedback on the monitoring activities carried out during the interactive teaching (DI) sessions.
The interactive teaching (DI) component accounts for two-thirds of the course's total activities and will take place during the second and third of the three weekly lessons scheduled for the course. The interactive teaching sessions, both synchronous and asynchronous (timetable to be confirmed), are designed to deliver the core course content presented by the lecturer in a dialogue-based format, alongside other training, assessment and e-tivity activities; specifically, these will consist of exercises and monitoring with periodic assessments timed to coincide with the various stages of the course and covering its thematic areas (phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics).
Course C also offers 30 hours of online tutoring to help students consolidate their skills in the subject, which will be delivered in close coordination with the DE and DI activities, online.
All teaching materials for distance learning (DE) and blended learning (DI) will be available online for attending students on the myAriel e-learning platform for the 2026-2027 academic year, to provide enrolled students with structured and coordinated opportunities for deeper reflection and greater critical awareness of the main themes in language sciences, as well as tools for assessing and self-assessing the knowledge acquired progressively throughout the course.
Students attending the course are required to complete all the scheduled activities (tests and assessments) before the oral exam.
Marks are out of 30; minimum passing grade 18/30.
International or Erasmus incoming students are kindly requested to contact the teacher of the course ([email protected]). Also students with disabilities (SLD) should contact the teacher ([email protected]), in order to discuss alternative examination methods, in agreement with the competent Office.
Teaching Resources
The C course in Linguistics (Type Beta; 60 hours, 9 ECTS) is open to all students who apply to the lecturer by the end of September 2026 at the latest, by emailing [email protected].
It is also the designated course for all NON-ATTENDING students whose surnames begin with E or O; these students are asked to officially notify the lecturer of their choice at the email address given above.
This Group C course involves a programme and study commitment equivalent to those of the face-to-face Groups A and B. Where possible, it will be preceded by a live-streamed or recorded face-to-face lecture, combined with synchronous and asynchronous online activities in collaboration with the lecturer and fellow students. It therefore requires a consistent commitment during the first semester (e.g. through the submission of assignments, completion of timed activities, and participation in discussion groups) and is not merely access to live-streamed lectures or self-study materials. This is a pilot scheme for the 2026/27 academic year, which does not imply that it will continue in subsequent academic years, nor does it imply that other courses or groups will offer the same format.
The course is accompanied by support seminars (30 h.), which, although not compulsory, will be taken into account and will form part of the assessment of the overall exam result.
It is also the designated course for all NON-ATTENDING students whose surnames begin with E or O; these students are asked to officially notify the lecturer of their choice at the email address given above.
This Group C course involves a programme and study commitment equivalent to those of the face-to-face Groups A and B. Where possible, it will be preceded by a live-streamed or recorded face-to-face lecture, combined with synchronous and asynchronous online activities in collaboration with the lecturer and fellow students. It therefore requires a consistent commitment during the first semester (e.g. through the submission of assignments, completion of timed activities, and participation in discussion groups) and is not merely access to live-streamed lectures or self-study materials. This is a pilot scheme for the 2026/27 academic year, which does not imply that it will continue in subsequent academic years, nor does it imply that other courses or groups will offer the same format.
The course is accompanied by support seminars (30 h.), which, although not compulsory, will be taken into account and will form part of the assessment of the overall exam result.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Assessments methods and criteria: the exam involves an oral, individual interview in Italian, in order to verify either learning outcomes concerning the specific topics proposed, or the ability to report them with critical and autonomous awareness, by using a precise and adequate metalanguage.
Modules or teaching units
Part A and B
GLOT-01/A - Historical and General Linguistics - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Biondi Laura
Part C
GLOT-01/A - Historical and General Linguistics - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 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.
Reception:
By appointment via email, either in person or on Teams.
Department of Philosophy, attic level