31318 - Persian Linguistics and Language 3

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student possesses a deeper knowledge of linguistic structures and undertakes the systematic study of the syntax of the Persian language. They are able to sustain dialogues in more complex communicative situations and produce short writings such as letters, descriptions, etc. in the course of guided exercises using previously assimilated linguistic materials. Under the guidance of the teacher, the student will be able to tackle the reading of literary passages, both poetic and prose, of a complexity appropriate to the preparation achieved.

Course contents

COURSE PROGRAMME

The course consists of two parts: Persian Language and Linguistics Exercises 2, taught by a native speaker, Dr. Negar Abbasi, and the main course, taught by the course leader, Prof. Nahid Norozi.

1. Programme of ‘Persian Language and Linguistics 2 Exercises’ (annual course)
The course takes place in two weekly lessons taught by a native speaker who works mainly on the text-book and other materials, provided in the form of handouts. A constant part of the course will be devoted to interactive conversation with a communicative-situational approach, favouring the register of the language spoken in Iran today. During the course, the ability to read and formulate sentences of medium complexity in writing will be consolidated. Listening to Persian music is also planned, preceded by reading and translation of the relevant texts.

2. Programme of the main course Persian Language and Linguistics 2, taught by prof. ssa Nahid Norozi (2nd semester)

YEAR 2

The Persian Language and Linguistics 2 course (from late March to mid-May) aims to illustrate the various morphological, grammatical and syntactic aspects of the Persian language of medium complexity, with particular attention to: coordinating and subordinating conjunctions, relative pronouns, enclitic suffixes, classical uses of the particle rā, morphology and use of simple and compound verb tenses, causative and passive forms, period syntax (coordinating and subordinating propositions). 

The course will also examine a number of linguistic phenomena, such as polysemy, lexical and grammatical borrowings, semantic calques and idiomatic expressions.

An important part of the course will consist of grammatical, syntactic and stylistic analysis of passages from classical and contemporary prose.

The aim of the course is to achieve a knowledge that lies at least between level A2 and B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference.

YEAR 3

The course focuses primarily on translation studies and includes translation exercises from Persian into Italian and, above all, from Italian into Persian (for the bibliography on the theory and practice of translation, please refer to the material uploaded to Virtuale). The course also covers the study of metre and an in-depth examination of the rhetorical aspects of classical poetry.

The aim of the course is to achieve a level of proficiency between B2 and C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

This course, with its accompanying Exercises, is dedicated to three-year students of the Department of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures (LILEC) who have chosen to study Persian as a first or second language.

Students of Persian 2B (ARCO) and Persian Language and Literature 2B (MSc of the DISCI Dept.) are required to take the entire Persian Language and Linguistics 2 course and only partially (February-March) the Persian Language and Linguistics 2 Exercises. However, students who intend to apply for a final thesis in Persian studies are strongly encouraged to attend starting from November 2025.

 

Readings/Bibliography

The reference text-book: N. Norozi e N. Abbasi, Lezioni di Persiano per Principianti, seconda edizione, Centro Essad Bey – Amazon IP, Seattle, 2025.

- further material will be sent in the form of telematic handouts during the course.

- [highly recommended for students wishing to continue with the study of Persian Language and Literature]: Coletti A. - Gruenbaum H., Dizionario Persiano-Italiano, Centro Culturale Italo-Iraniano, Roma 1978 (edizione aggiornata 2021)

- COMPULSORY for NON-attending students: Meneghini D.; Orsatti P., Corso di lingua persiana (con 2 CD audio), Hoepli, Milano 2012.

For further information (optional): 

- D. Meneghini e P. Orsatti, Corso di lingua persiana (con 2 CD audio), Hoepli, Milano 2012

- Lambton A. K. S., Persian grammar, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1984

- Coletti A., Grammatica della lingua persiana, Nuova Cultura, Roma 2007

- D’Erme G. M, Grammatica del neopersiano, Istituto Universitario Orientale, Napoli 1979

- Piemontese A. M., Grammatica persiana in nuce, Istituti Editoriali e Poligrafici Internazionali, Pisa-Roma 2004.

 

IMPORTANT NOTE

Students from departments other than LILEC, i.e. from the DISCI Dept. (ARCO: Persian 2B and MA: Persian Language and Literature 2B), will have to bring one of the following volumes of their choice for the literary part of the examination:

- Sharnush Pārsipur, Donne senza uomini, a cura di A. Vanzan, AIEP, San Marino 2000

- Sādeq Chubak, Pietra paziente, a cura di G. Longhi, introduzione di A. Dehbashi, Associazione internazionale di studi sul Mediterraneo e l'Oriente, 2021

- N. Norozi, “La mia spada e la poesia”. Versi di lotta e d’amore nella poetessa persiana Simin Behbahāni (poesie tradotte e commentate con gli originali in appendice, talora recitate in Qcode), WriteUp Books (“Ferdows. Collana di Studi iranici e islamici”), Roma 2023

- Forugh Farrokhzād, Io parlo dai confini della notte. Tutte le poesie: Testo persiano a fronte, a cura di D. Ingenito, Bompiani 2023

- Sohrāb Sepehri, Sino al fiore del nulla. 99 poesie (con testi a fronte), a cura di N. Norozi, Centro Essad Bey, (libro - Edizioni CreateSpace IPP), 2016

- Nahid Norozi, Il cavallo selvaggio dell’ira. Introduzione all’opera di Ahmad Shāmlu, poeta ribelle del ‘900 persiano, (con ampia antologia) prefazione di Maurizio Pistoso, Centro Essad Bey (Collana "Kharabat"), Charleston 2017 (libro - Edizioni CreateSpace IPP)

- Simin Daneshvar, Suvashun, una storia persiana, a cura di Anna Vanzan, Brioschi ed., 2018

- Hamid Ziarati, Salam, maman, Einaudi, Torino 2006.

- Bijan Zarmandili, La grande casa di Monirrieh, Feltrinelli, Milano 2004

 

Teaching methods

Lectures, including interactive ones; listening to musical texts; possible lectures by invitation of specialists

Assessment methods

A student who attends at least 75% of the lectures is considered to be attending.

 

For students of the Dept. of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures (LILEC):

YEAR 2

The examination of ‘Persian Language and Linguistics 2’ takes place in three parts.

1. Written part: grammar exercises + translation from Persian into Itaian + questions relating to the main course (you may use a dictionary). Please note: part of this exam will be conducted on an ongoing basis

2. Written part: Dictation of a passage, to be held on an ongoing basis throughout December (as part of the Practical Exercises course)

3. Oral part: reading and linguistic and stylistic analysis of a literary text studied during the main course + short conversation of medium complexity.

The final mark is the arithmetic mean of the marks obtained in the three tests.

YEAR 3

1. Written exam: grammar exercises + translation from Italian into Persian of a relatively complex journalistic text (the use of a dictionary is permitted) + questions relating to the main course (you may use a dictionary).

2. Written exam: dictation of a more complex passage, to be held on an ongoing basis throughout December (as part of the Practical Exercises course)

3. Oral exam: reading and linguistic, stylistic and metrical analysis of a passage studied during the main course + a conversation of a relatively more complex nature

The final mark is calculated as the arithmetic mean of the marks obtained in the three assessments.

 

For students coming from departments other than LILEC, i.e. DISCI Dept. (ARCO: Persian Language and Literature 2B):

1. Oral language test: short conversation, reading, translation and analysis of a literary text studied during the main course

2. Oral examination in literature: presentation of the work of an author (see Bibliography)

The final mark is the arithmetic mean of the marks obtained in the two tests

Please note: This course (6 CFU) is a component of the Integrated Course ‘Persian Language and Literature 2B (C.I.) LM’. If the student has the Integrated Course (12 CFU) in the study plan, the final mark will be the arithmetic mean of the marks obtained in the two components.

IMPORTANT NOTE

The use of artificial intelligence is not permitted during the exam.

 

Teaching tools

Books, lecture notes (particularly those available on the Virtuale platform), PowerPoint or PDF presentations, audiovisual material, journal websites and other useful resources.

Students with DSA or temporary or permanent disabilities: it is advisable to get in touch immediately with the University office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it ) and with the lecturer, in order to seek together the most effective strategies for following the lessons and/or preparing for the exam. Any requests for adaptations must be made within 15 days of the date of the exam, by sending an email to the lecturer and entering the email address disabilita@unibo.it [mailto:disabilita@unibo.it] (in the case of a disabling condition) or dsa@unibo.it [mailto:dsa@unibo.it] (for students with DSA)."

Office hours

See the website of Nahid Norozi