31065 - Arabic Language and Linguistics 1

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student is able to read, write and translate a vocalized elementary text knowing the basic morphosyntactic structures of the nominal and verbal sentence, is able to present himself and others and to ask and give information in simple situations related to familiar and common topics. Acquired skills are located between levels A1 and A2 of Common European Framework of Reference.

Course contents

The course aims at acquiring the basic phonetic and morphosyntactic aspects of the Arabic language and consists of two parts: annual practical language classes and the semester course taught by the lead instructor, Prof. Ines Peta.

Program of the annual practical language classes (120 hours)

The course consists of three weekly lessons and offers a gradual path that introduces students to the fundamentals of the language, writing, and communication in Modern Standard Arabic. The main objective is to provide the foundations for understanding and producing simple sentences, achieving communicative autonomy in everyday life situations, and developing solid phonetic and orthographic competence.

The first semester is devoted to learning the alphabet, with particular attention to writing and the correct pronunciation of Arabic sounds, distinguishing between short and long vowels, and solar and lunar letters. Simple language structures are also introduced to guide students in formulating nominal and verbal sentences and in engaging in initial communicative interactions. During this phase, students learn to introduce themselves, talk about their family, and describe familiar environments such as the house, the room, furniture, and the city. They also practice the correct use of essential morphosyntactic structures.

In the second semester, the thematic repertoire is expanded, and grammatical skills are refined. Students learn to describe weather conditions, seasons, food, personal preferences, and clothing, while extending descriptions of their daily routine, including activities and schedules. More complex grammatical structures are introduced as pronunciation, reading, and writing continue to be reinforced.

The grammar program includes: definite article; nominal sentence; adjective and agreement; interrogatives and particles; annexation (idāfa); feminine, dual, and plural forms; pronouns: independent, suffixes, and demonstratives; the verb: past and present, basic forms; masdar and participles; kāna and laysa; comparative forms.

Program of the semester course (30 hours) – 2nd semester (Prof. Ines Peta)

The course aims to describe the fundamental characteristics of the Arabic language at the phonological, morphological, and syntactic levels. Particular attention is given to the core elements of grammar, especially the root-pattern relationship, nominal derivation, the differences between nominal and verbal sentences, and the past and present conjugation of the verb in its first form. All topics will be approached with constant reference to the intrinsic logic of the Arabic language, to help students clearly understand the differences with Italian and to familiarize them with the categories specific to Arabic grammar.

Readings/Bibliography

Bibliography of the practical language class

- S. Darghmouni, Kalima / parola. Lezioni di scrittura e grammatica araba con esercizi, vol. 1, Mondadori, Milano 2019.

- At-Takallum: A Comprehensive Modern Arabic Course. Student Book, Starter/A1 Level: A Comprehensive Modern Arabic Course Innovative Approach, Buruj Book, Cairo 2018.

- E. Baldissera, Dizionario Italiano-Arabo e Arabo-Italiano (Seconda Edizione), Zanichelli, Bologna 2014.

- Texts provided by the teacher and available on the Virtuale platform.

Bibliography of the Semester course

Reference texts

- M. Diez, Introduzione alla lingua araba, Vita e Pensiero, Milano 2018.

- G. Mion, L. D'Anna, Grammatica di arabo standard moderno, Hoepli, Milano 2021.

- Slides and in-depth material provided by the teacher and available on the IOL platform.

Supplementary reading

- O. Durand, Dialettologia araba, Carocci, Roma 2008.

- G. Gabrini, O. Durand, Introduzione alle lingue semitiche, Paideia, Brescia 1994 (chapters I and III).

Teaching methods

1) Frontal lessons

2) Interactive lessons

3) Activities in pairs and / or in groups

Assessment methods

The examination consists of:

a) a written test covering the syllabus of the practical language classes;

b) an oral examination covering both the syllabus of the practical language classes and that of the semester course.

a) The written test is structured as follows: dictation (20% of the final grade); comprehension of a short written text and a short oral text, together with exercises assessing lexical competence (40% of the final grade); a morphosyntactic test assessing grammatical competence through targeted exercises (40% of the final grade). The use of dictionaries is not permitted.

To pass the written test, students must obtain at least 18/30 in each of its three components. Only in this case is the written test considered successfully completed and the final grade may be awarded.

The written test may be taken either as a single examination lasting 3 hours and 10 minutes at the end of the course, on the date established in the official examination calendar, or as a series of three midterm tests administered during the teaching period, divided as follows:

• first part: dictation. Duration: 10 minutes.
• second part: comprehension of a short written text and a short oral text, together with exercises assessing lexical competence. Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes.
• third part: morphosyntactic test assessing grammatical competence through targeted exercises. Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes.

b) The oral examination consists of: b.1) for the practical language classes, reading a vocalised text, answering simple questions in Arabic on the text and on the topics covered during the course, and describing one image selected from those studied during the practical language classes; b.2) for the semester course, the examination consists of a number of questions aimed at assessing the morphosyntactic competences acquired, both through targeted exercises and the analysis of sentences of the same type as those examined during the lectures, and through theoretical questions concerning the topics covered during the course.

The final grade corresponds to the weighted average of the marks obtained in the written and oral examinations.

Please note that students may not take the oral examination unless they have successfully passed the written test of the practical language classes.

Please note that the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools during examinations is prohibited in any form, including chatbots, text generators, advanced machine translation tools, content synthesis systems, and AI tools integrated into electronic devices. Any use of AI constitutes a violation of the University's Academic Integrity Policy and may result in the examination being declared invalid by the instructor, who is responsible for assessing the validity of the examination.

Students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) or temporary or permanent disabilities: it is recommended that you contact the University office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en) and the instructor as soon as possible in order to identify the most effective strategies for attending classes and/or preparing for the examination. Any requests for accommodations must be be submitted at least 15 days before the examination date by sending an email to the instructor and copying disabilita@unibo.it (in the case of disabilities) or dsa@unibo.it (for students with Specific Learning Disorders).

Teaching tools

Audio / video texts, power-points and other materials provided by the teachers.

Office hours

See the website of Ines Peta