69318 - General Linguistics (D)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student will familiarize with the history of linguistic thought and the main theoretical paradigms of modern linguistics. They will acquire the basic concepts and tools of linguistic analysis; they will also be able to use the terminology appropriate to the study and description of the different areas in which language is articulated (phonetics and phonology, morphology and vocabulary, syntax, semantics and pragmatics), in a synchronic perspective. They will be familiar with the classification of world languages into families and linguistic groups; they will also acquire notions of linguistic typology and linguistic universals. Finally, they will be aware of the different branches and the most recent developments of the discipline.

Course contents

The course is introductory and it aims to provide students with the essential tools for the scientific study of human language and its manifestations: natural languages.

Linguistic diversity will be the background theme in the central part of the course, where the various levels of linguistic analysis will be explained and exemplified using examples of Italian and other European and non-European languages.

First, the semiotic bases of language and the notions of natural language and linguistic ability will be addressed with the aim of illustrating what characterizes human language compared to other languages (animal and artificial), what languages are, how they can vary in space and society and how they can be classified from a genealogical point of view. Secondly, we will illustrate the main moments in the history of linguistic thought, with particular reference to modern linguistics ('800 and '900). The central part of the course will be dedicated to the various levels of linguistic analysis and related study methodologies: phonetics and phonology (including the description and use of the International Phonetic Alphabet); morphology and lexicon; syntax; semantics and pragmatics. Finally, we will focus on first and second language acquisition in children and adults, from a cognitive perspective. We will focus on the mechanisms of meaning construction in the human mind. To conclude, we will see what linguists do today, within and outside the academic world.

Readings/Bibliography

Textbook:

Berruto, Gaetano & Massimo Cerruti (2022). La Linguistica. Un corso introduttivo. Torino: Utet.

The previous edition (2017) is also accepted.

Weekly slides, uploaded on the e-learning platform.

Further references will be provided during the course.

For working students (who do not come to class), this additional reading is required:

Masini, Francesca & Nicola Grandi (2017). [http://www.caissa.it/299-tutto-cio-che-hai-sempre-voluto-sapere-sul-linguaggio-e-sulle-lingue.html]. Bologna: Caissa Italia.

Teaching methods

Frontal classes and e-learning.

Assessment methods

The exam takes place in written form, through a test to be filled within 1 hour, consisting of 30 questions (1 point for each question) aimed at assessing mainly the ability to apply the theoretical notions acquired during the course. The test will include concrete questions of linguistic analysis and questions in which students will have to make theoretical and methodological choices for hypothetical linguistic analysis, thus demonstrating that they have acquired the necessary skills for the analysis of natural language and linguistic data. The questions will be of different types (open questions and multiple choice questions) and will cover all the topics of the program.

The evaluation will take into account the number of correct answers, which will be given 1 point each (fractions of points for partially correct answers are considered). In addition to substantive correctness, the formal appropriateness and expressive clarity of the answers in the open-ended questions will also be assessed. Those who achieve an organic and complete vision of the subjects in the examination programme, demonstrating expressive mastery and knowledge of the specific language of the subject, as well as the possession of adequate analytical skills, will therefore obtain marks of excellence. A partial knowledge of the subjects, correct exposition but with uncertainties in the use of the reference terminology, as well as a less precise capacity for analysis, will lead to acceptable evaluations. A limited knowledge of the topics on the agenda, a language mastery that is not always adequate and a low propensity for analysis will lead to evaluations that are barely sufficient. Crucial training gaps in both theory and practice and inadequate language will be evaluated negatively.

Teaching tools

PowerPoint slides, online tools and open access digital resources.

Office hours

See the website of Marianna Marcella Bolognesi