18108 - Catalan Language

Learning outcomes

At the end of this module, students should be able to reach Level A2+ of the language proficiency levels described in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Course contents

The course introduces students to contemporary Catalan language, providing the linguistic and cultural competences required to achieve an A2+/B1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

The course consists of a theoretical component (30 hours of lectures) and a practical language component (50 hours of language practice classes and 30 hours of tutoring).

It combines an introduction to the linguistic and cultural reality of the Catalan-speaking territories with the progressive development of communicative competence in Catalan. Through the study of the main morphological, phonetic and syntactic structures, the analysis of authentic texts, and activities aimed at developing oral and written comprehension and production, students will acquire a basic knowledge of contemporary Catalan and of its historical, cultural and sociolinguistic context. Particular attention will be devoted to the position of Catalan within the Romance languages of the Iberian Peninsula, its European and Mediterranean dimension, and issues related to multilingualism, language contact, and the processes of language minoritization and language promotion in contemporary societies.

More specifically, the course covers:

a) Grammar (morphology and syntax): nouns, pronouns, determiners, adjectives, the verbal system, adverbs and adverbial phrases, prepositions and prepositional phrases, coordinating and subordinating conjunctions.

b) Communicative and thematic areas: personal and professional information, family and social relationships, housing and places of residence, everyday life, leisure and interests, current affairs, aspects of Catalan history and culture, gastronomy, language and communication.

c) Phonetics and orthography: the Catalan alphabet, apostrophization, the neutral vowel [ə], the main phonetic features of contemporary Catalan, intonation, and the phenomena of elision and emmudiment (loss of final consonants).

Readings/Bibliography

Required texts

Vilagrasa, Albert (2018). A punt, 1. Curs de català. Llibre de l'alumne. Barcelona: Publicacions de l'Abadia de Montserrat.

Vilagrasa, Albert (2018). A punt, 1. Curs de català. Llibre d'exercicis. Barcelona: Publicacions de l'Abadia de Montserrat.

Recommended reading

Grammar

Bastons, N.; Bernadó, C.; Camajoan, L. (2011). Gramàtica pràctica del català. Barcelona: Teide.

History of the Catalan language

Ferrando, A.; Nicolàs, M. (2011). Història de la llengua catalana. Barcelona: Editorial UOC.

Joan, B.; Marí, E. (2019). Breu història de la llengua als Països Catalans. Lleida: Pagès Editors.

Contemporary Sociolinguistics

Junyent, C.; Zaballa, B. (2018). El futur del català depèn de tu. Barcelona: La Campana.

Diversos autors (2018). El català, llengua mitjana d'Europa. Multilingüisme, globalització i sostenibilitat lingüística. Barcelona: Octaedro.

Historical, political and cultural context

Diversos autors (2018). La nazione catalana. Storia, lingua, politica, costituzione nella prospettiva plurinazionale. Napoli: Editoriale Scientifica.

Additional teaching materials, exercises, handouts and supplementary resources will be provided by the instructor and made available through the University's Virtuale platform throughout the semester.

Teaching methods

The course adopts a communicative approach aimed at the integrated development of linguistic, communicative and intercultural competences.

Teaching activities combine lectures, language practice classes, individual study and collaborative learning. The lectures provide students with the theoretical foundations necessary to understand the linguistic, historical and cultural context of the Catalan language, while the practical classes focus on the active use of Catalan through activities involving listening, reading, speaking and writing.

Throughout the course, authentic materials, digital resources, multimedia tools and audiovisual content will be used to promote direct engagement with contemporary Catalan language and culture.

Learning will also be supported by language tutoring sessions and, whenever possible, by cultural activities, guest lectures and participation in events related to the promotion of Catalan language and culture.

Assessment methods

Assessment consists of a written examination and an oral examination, both of which must be passed.

The written examination assesses the acquisition of the grammatical structures, vocabulary and communicative skills covered during the course. It includes exercises designed to evaluate reading comprehension, listening comprehension, written production, grammar and language use.

Students who successfully pass the written examination will be admitted to the oral examination.

The oral examination, conducted in Catalan, lasts approximately 15–20 minutes and assesses students' ability to communicate effectively in Catalan, as well as their command of the linguistic structures and communicative functions covered during the course.

Students with SLDs or temporary or permanent disabilities: we suggest that you contact the relevant university office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en) and your teacher immediately to work together to find the most effective strategies for attending classes and/or preparing for exams.
Any requests for exam accommodations must be made at least 15 days before the date of the exam, by sending an email to the teacher and copying (Cc) the email address disabilita@unibo.it (in case of disability) or dsa@unibo.it (for students with Specific Learning Difficulties).

The final mark takes into account the results of both the written and the oral examinations.

Teaching tools

Teaching materials, supplementary resources and announcements will be made available through the University's Virtuale e-learning platform.

Students will also make use of authentic texts, audiovisual materials, digital resources and multimedia content selected by the instructor to support language learning and to encourage direct engagement with contemporary Catalan language and culture.

Whenever possible, additional teaching activities may include guest lectures, cultural events and seminars related to Catalan language and culture.

Office hours

See the website of Lidia Carol Gerones