30972 - Spanish Language and Linguistics 1 (A-L)

Course contents

Language is a complex system of signs, the systematic study of which dates back to antiquity and can be approached with a wide variety of theoretical and methodological oapproaches. The first step in carrying out any kind of linguistic analysis is a solid knowledge of the elements that structure a language. The main objective of the course is to present concepts, themes and methods on which the structural analysis of the Spanish language is based.

The course will begin with a brief introduction in which definitions of the basic scientific terms concerning the central areas of the study of language in general and the Spanish language in particular will be given. Subsequently, concepts related to three thematic blocks will be explored:

• Phonetics and Phonology
• Morphology
• Evolution of the Spanish language

Firstly, we will study the essential aspects of the phonetics and phonology of Spanish, i.e. its sounds and their systematic organisation. We will begin by analysing the phonemes of Spanish and their their different realisations according to contexts (allophones). We will analyse Spanish syllabic structure, accentuation and intonational structure. Secondly, we will study the morphology of Spanish, i.e. the internal structure of words, their basic components, the classification of these components and how they relate to each other. To conclude, we will analyse the historical evolution of Spanish and how certain aspects of its structure have changed over time.

Readings/Bibliography

Quilis, Antonio (1998), Principios de fonología y fonética españolas. Madrid, Arco/Libros

Hualde, José Ignacio; Olarrea, Antxon; Escobar, Anna María; Travis, Katherine E. & Sanz, Cristina (2021 u otra edición). Introducción a la lingüística hispánica. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. (Cap. 1, 2, 3 and 5)

 

Any additions and/or changes will be communicated during the course.

Teaching methods

Practical exercises and explanations will complement each other throughout the course. Multimedia tools, ludic activities and interactive material such as audio and audiovisuals texts will be used to stimulate students' curiosity. Active participation of students in Spanish will be required. Feedback, with comments given by the teacher, will be provided in both a personal, general or group form depending on the type of activity.

Participation is strongly recommended.

Assessment methods

The exam consists of an oral test in Spanish on the theoretical content of the syllabus (study of the texts indicated in the bibliography and during the course, of the teaching material made available in electronic format and of the slides of the lectures).

Office hours

See the website of Marcello Giugliano