94017 - Seminar: Introduction to the Study of Estonian Language and Culture

Academic Year 2020/2021

Learning outcomes

The seminar aims at providing students with basic knowledge about the Estonian language and culture in the geopolitical context covering the Nordic-Baltic area.

Course contents

The Estonian language and culture seminar with native Estonian speaking teacher Katrin Veiksaar for absolute beginners. The seminar aims to expand the cultural formation of the student interested in the Finno-Ugric world.

Culture: Estonian and Finnish-Ugric languages. Linguistic, historical and political data. From popular poetry to choral music. Composer Veljo Tormis and The "Kalevipoeg" epic. Overview on main cultural events. Tartu, European Capital of Culture 2024. Estonian literature in Italian. Children's literature and illustration. Twentieth century, Jaan Kross 100. "Recipe" for being an Estonian by Valdur Mikita.

Language: Pronunciation (palatalization, three lengths)

Declination, 14 cases (in particular nominative, genitive, partitive and illative, singular and plural)

Pronouns Interrogative pronouns

Compound words

Adjectives and derivation

Verb conjugation (infinitive in -ma and in -da, present)

Readings/Bibliography

Dictionaries

Estonian spelling dictionary "Eesti õigekeelsussõnaraamat ÕS 2018“, Eesti Keele Sihtasutus, Tallinn, 2018 (https://www.eki.ee/dict/qs/) [https://www.eki.ee/dict/qs/]

Etymological dictionary online (http://www.eki.ee/dict/ety/index.cgi?Q=ema&F=M&C06=et) [http://www.eki.ee/dict/ety/index.cgi?Q=ema&F=M&C06=et]

English-Estonian Dictionary (http://www.eki.ee/dict/ies/index.cgi?C06=en )


Online courses

0-A2keeleklikk.ee

0-A2 keeletee.ee

https://www.speakly.me/


Compulsory readings

Jaan Kross "Il pazzo dello zar" (Iperborea, 2016)

Jaan Kross "La congiura" (Iperborea, 2015)


Useful readings

Jan Brokken "Anime Baltiche" (Iperborea, 2017)

Emil Tode "Terra di confine" (Iperborea, 1996)

Teaching methods

Lectures and classroom activities.

Assessment methods

Written assessment on the grammatical and lexical topics learned during the seminar.

Teaching tools

Audiovisual support and online materials.

Office hours

See the website of Sanna Maria Martin