62516 - Specialist Languages

Learning outcomes

The student knows the theoretical and practical issues of specialized languages. S/he is able to understand, analyze and (re) produce oral discourses used in a variety of specialized domains.

Course contents

In the first part of the course, we will discuss the features of the specialised languages and communication, both from a theoretical and applied perspective. We will observe their variations according to different text typologies and discourse genres.
Specialised language features will be investigated on written and oral texts, in formal and informal communicative situations, either in dialogic or monologic contexts. We will focus mainly on textuality, syntax and lexical dimensions.
Consistently with the teachings of specialized Interpretation, we will focus in particular on speeches of low, medium and high specialism, extracted from the medical, economic-financial and social fields, with a strong focus on the most current issues.
An additional seminar will be devoted to the language of art, as a model of hybrid language between the literary and the technical.
We will exploit authentic material in Italian and/or authentic interpretations in other languages. We will try to point out the challenges of interpreting a specialised text and to reflect on the strategies to adopt.

This course is part of the integrated course of 'Institutional and Specialized Communication' focussed on the interlinguistic, intralinguistic and intercultural analysis of different oral and written text typologies.

Readings/Bibliography

For a smooth progression of the topics, it is recommended to read the essays in the order they are listed in the bibliography.
The material (slides and others) used in class is an integral part of the curriculum and is available on the IOL-Insegnamenti OnLine platform.

Gualdo, R. & Telve, S. (2011), Linguaggi specialistici dell’italiano, Roma: Carocci editore. [Cap. 1 - Il campo di ricerca, pp. 17-46 e pp. 107-136./tot. 58 pp.]
Lavinio, C., (2004), Comunicazione e linguaggi disciplinari, Roma: Carocci editore. [Cap. 5 – I linguaggi delle scienze e delle discipline specialistiche, pp. 93-121, tot. 28 pp.].
Gualdo, R. & Telve, S. (2011), Linguaggi specialistici dell’italiano, Roma: Carocci editore [‘Il linguaggio della medicina’ (cap. 4) e ‘Il linguaggio dell’economia’ (cap. 5)].
Telve, S. (2015), “La terminologia medica in Italia: uno sguardo al dinamismo attuale”, mediAzioni 18, http://mediazioni.sitlec.unibo.it, ISSN 1974-4382.
De Martin, M.P., "Dalla parola all'immagine: il linguaggio della critica d'arte: Per la traduzione di una 'traduzione'", Traduzione, società e cultura, 4 (1994), pp. 1-18.

*The bibliography may vary. The final version will be discussed with students at the beginning of the course.

Suggested readings (not compulsory)
For information purpose only, we suggest some integrative readings if you need to deepen some of these topics.

Cavagnoli, S. (2014), La comunicazione specialistica, Roma: Carocci Editore.
Cortelazzo, M.A. (2000), “Le lingue speciali: le dimensioni verticale e orizzontale”, in Id., Italiano d’oggi, Padova: Esedra, pp. 25-36.
De Mauro, T. (1965), Il linguaggio della critica d'arte, Firenze: Valecchi Editore.
Garzone, G., Viezzi, M. (2001), Comunicazione specialistica e interpretazione di conferenza, Trieste, Edizioni Università di Trieste.
Prandi, M. (2010), “Lessico naturale e lessici di specialità: tra descrizione e normalizzazione”, in F. Bertaccini, S. Castagnoli & F. La Forgia (a cura di), Terminologia a colori, Bologna: BUP, pp. 53-84.
Sobrero, Alberto A. (1993), “Lingue speciali”, in Id. (a cura di), Introduzione all’italiano contemporaneo, Roma – Bari: Laterza, vol. 2º (La variazione e gli usi), pp. 237-277.

Teaching methods

This teaching aims to enhance the critical analysis skills of a specialist text in order to identify more quickly the complex transitions and discursive strategies implemented by the speaker(s). Alongside the strengthening of critical reflection on the characteristics of the discourse, skills of transformation, reformulation, explanation and synthesis will be developed, consistently with the different contexts in which the interpreters-mediators will work.
The course will consist of in-depth theoretical lessons and practical work on texts. The active participation of students is therefore required.

Assessment methods

The examination aims to assess
(i) the knowledge on the principles of specialised languages;
(ii) the ability to analyse the characteristics of a specialised written or oral text;
(iii) the ability to identify difficulties in the process of understanding and interpreting a specialist text and to show appropriate resolution strategies.

Score assignment:
-practical work on specialist text: max.15 points out of 30
-theoretical questions: max.15 points out of 30.

The grade obtained in 'Specialized Languages' will average with the grade obtained in 'Institutional Communication' within the integrated course of Institutional and Specialized Communication.

Evaluation criteria:
The following criteria will be taken into consideration during the evaluation:
-ability to understand the text
-clarity of the oral presentation
-capability of critical thinking
-precision of terminology
-theoretical knowledge of specialized languages.

Teaching tools

PPTs, Internet, Videos, e-learning platform (IOL).

Office hours

See the website of Cristiana Cervini