30972 - Spanish Language and Linguistics 1 (M-Z)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student has reached a fundamental knowledge of metalanguage and of various aspects of a descriptive-analytical model of the Spanish language and is competent in all communication skills at level B1 of the parameters set by the Council of Europe.

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 it have changed over time.

PRACTICES OF SPANISH LANGUAGE (Dott. Delia Cócera and Marina Partesotti)

The main objective of this course is to encourage the recognition, the understanding and the application of functions and communicative structures by means of the acquisition of the four basic abilities: writing/reading comprehension/production.

The continuous attention on the language as an assembly of linguistic acts with different functions and purposes will be concretely exercised by means of texts comprehension and production (dialogues, readings, abstracts, etc.) both on written and oral.

The language reflection, especially regarding the phonetics, the orthography and the morphosyntactic structures of the second language (also in contrast with those of the first language) will help the student to refine the linguistic observation and to develop the logic abilities both inductive and deductive.

Moreover, the objective of this course is to offer the necessary instruments for a first direct comparison between the own culture and other cultures, also by means of the lexicon and phraseology study.

PLEASE NOTE: Students are reminded that the Exercises course is a one-year course and is eminently practical; the exam is based on work carried out in class. For this reason, attendance is essential to pass the test satisfactorily.

FOR INFORMATION ON THE CONTENTS, TEXTS AND FINAL EXAM OF THE PRACTICES ON SPANISH LANGUAGE, PLEASE CONSULT THE FOLLOWING SITES:

Spanish Language and Linguistic Exercises 1 - B [G - O] 

Lecturer: Delia Cócera Martínez

Spanish Language and Linguistic Exercises 1 - C [P - Z]

Lecturer: Marina Partesotti

THE DETAILED PROGRAMME OF THE GROUP C (P-Z) WILL BE AVAILABLE IN SEPTEMBER.

 

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 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.

Assessment methods

LINGUISTICS

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).

IMPORTANT: The student shall succeed a previous written and oral exams (Esercitazioni della lingua) in order to access the oral exam of Linguistics.

ERASMUS STUDENTS: It is necessary for Erasmus students to contact the professor as soon as possible.

Office hours

See the website of Lisa Gozzi