13515 - Glottology (1)

Course contents

The goal of the course is to provide a concise introduction to the theoretical foundations of contemporary general and hystorical linguistics. No previous linguistic notions are presupposed. We will briefly examine the organization of the grammar in its structural components: phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics. In parallel, we will discuss the topics of language acquisition and evolution.

Afterwards, we will present  some fundamental topics of modern historical linguistics, the study of language change. We will talk about nature, causes and systematicity of language change and we will examine the main internal (i.e. strictly linguistic) and external (social) factors of language change, with special reference to Romance and Germanic  languages. We will consider different types of language spread. Other topics will be: the “discovery” of Indo-European; the methods of comparative and internal language reconstruction; genetic, areal and typological classification of the world's languages. We will  finally briefly discuss recent research into phonetic and phonological universals.

Students are invited to consult the "Notices" Section in the teacher Web Page (http://www.unibo.it/docenti/mario.vayra) for updates on class related activities (workshops, talks), supplementary materials distribution,  exams and possible changes in office hours.

Readings/Bibliography

GLOTTOLOGIA (12 CFU)      

- G. Graffi, S. Scalise, Le lingue e il linguaggio. Introduzione alla linguistica, Bologna, Il Mulino, 3rd edition, 2013.

- F. Fanciullo, Introduzione alla linguistica storica, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2007: except for  chapter 3: “Corrispondenze fonologiche tra le lingue indoeuropee".

- A. Moro, I confini di Babele. Il cervello e il mistero delle lingue impossibili, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2015 (chapters 1-6). Notice that an older English edition of the A. Moro's book  is also available at the Library of Dept.  of Classical Philology and Italian Studies): The Boundaries of Babel, Cambridge, Massachusetts, MIT Press, 2008.

- M Nespor, L. Bafile, I suoni del linguaggio, Bologna, Il Mulino (chats 1-6).

As further reading in the field of phonetics I suggest the following textbook:
- F Albano Leoni e P. Maturi, Manuale di fonetica, Roma, Carocci (capp.1-2). The book includes a CD-ROM with audio files which allow the student to exercise in listeninig and trascription tests of word and sentences in Italian, English, French and German.

- Supplementariy materials  will be made available on-line in pdf format  (Glottology: “Teaching Material”)

- See "Latest News" in my website.

  GLOTTOLOGIA (I) (6 CFU)      

- G. Graffi, S. Scalise, Le lingue e il linguaggio. Introduzione alla linguistica, Bologna, Il Mulino, 3rd edition, 2013.

- F. Fanciullo, Introduzione alla linguistica storica, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2007: except for chapter 3: “Corrispondenze fonologiche tra le lingue indoeuropee".

As further reading in the field of Phonetics, I suggest the following textbook:

- F Albano Leoni e P. Maturi, Manuale di fonetica, Roma, Carocci (capp.1-2). The book includes a CD-ROM with audio files which allow the student to exercise in listeninig and trascription tests of word and sentences in Italian, English, French and German.

- Supplementary materials  will be made available on-line in pdf format  (Student Guide: Glottology: “Teaching Material”).

- See "Latest News" in my website.

Teaching methods

Lessons will be given as lectures. Supplementary materials will be made available on-line during the course (Student Guide: Glottology: “Teaching Material”).

Assessment methods

Teaching tools

Lessons will include Power Point presentations  

Office hours

See the website of Mario Vayra