78675 - German Linguistics 1 (LM)

Learning outcomes

The global aim of this course which includes lectures and practical language classes - is to provide students with an expert knowledge of a number of aspects of German linguistics, enabling them not only to communicate effectively in German, but also to think critically about and describe the metalinguistic factors at play in language use. This aim will be achieved by providing students with theoretical knowledge related to one or more of the following areas of German linguistics: phonology, morphology, syntax, lexicology, semantics, pragmatics, sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics, stylistics and corpus linguistics. The focus of the course will be on real language use, with authentic texts (written and/ or spoken, belonging to different registers) and electronic language corpora used as examples. Language classes aim to improve students’ linguistic competence; over the two year period students’ knowledge of German should reach level C 1.2 according to the European framework in all four abilities. These classes will work in connection with the lectures to improve students’ writing skills in particular.

Course contents

1. The course consists of 60 hours of formal classes (lezioni frontali), during the 1st semester. This course is mainly thought for first year students but also open for 2nd year students of LSC. 

1. - formal lessions (60) Prof. Thüne, 1° semestre,  1st lesson:29.9.2026

2. - Language lessons (36), Dott. Enrico Mina, 1° semester,

Main subject of the course:

Berlin in Text and Talk: Exploring the Speech–Writing Continuum

The course aims to provide students with the conceptual and methodological tools required to analyse the two principal media forms of language: written language and spoken language. It also examines a range of hybrid forms like graphic novels, including digitally mediated communication (such as text messages, chats and podcasts).
The thematic thread running through the course is the city of Berlin, its historical, cultural and linguistic development, and the ways in which it is represented across different forms of textuality and orality. These materials provide the basis for introducing key concepts of text linguistics, including the formal and grammatical aspects of textuality (text grammar and text organisation), as well as semantic and pragmatic dimensions (text semantics and text functions), with the aim of understanding different text types.
In a similar way, the course examines the characteristic features of spoken language, focusing on the organisation of spoken interaction, including multimodal communication, through the analysis of authentic examples. Within this framework, fundamental sociolinguistic and pragmatic concepts relevant to spoken communication—such as language varieties, registers, conversational routines and interactional rituals—will also be discussed.
Particular attention will be devoted to hybrid forms between speech and writing, with a special focus on the representation of orality in different types of written texts.

 

2.This course goes together with a language learning course (36 hours, esercitazioni, 1st semester) with Enrico Mina please check the official timetable. First lesson: date will be announced. 

The language learning course includes an introduction to the techniques of academic writing in German, focusing on types of text such as thesis/term paper, lecture summaries, project descriptions, etc..

Further information and teaching materials will be made available.

Readings/Bibliography

General Readings formal classes

Dittmar, N. / Paul, C. (Hgg.) (2019) Sprechen im Umbruch. Zeitzeugen erzählen und argumentieren rund um den Fall der Mauer im Wendekorpus. Mannheim, selected pages

Duden (2009): Die Grammatik. 9., völlig neu erarbeitete und erweiterte Auflage. Hrsg. von der Dudenredaktion. Mannheim u.a., Dudenverlag [Kapitel "Der Text" und Kapitel "Die gesprochene Sprache"]. selected pages

Ehrhardt, C. & H. Marten, hgg. (2018), Linguistic landscapes-Sprachlandschaften, Zeitschrift Der Deutschunterricht Heft 4, selected pages

Schwitalla, J. (2012): Gesprochenes Deutsch, Berlin (Schmidt Verlag), selected pages

Schwitalla, J. (2000), Mit Händen und Füßen reden. Sprachliche und nicht-sprachliche Symbolsysteme in der mündlichen Kommunikation, on-line in Virtuale

Stevenson, P. (2017) Language and Migration in a Multilingual Metropolis: Berlin Lives, London, selected pages

Wiese, H. (2012) Kiezdeutsch. Ein neuer Dialekt entsteht. München, selected pages

on-line tools

oral language Corpora: Datenbank für Gesprochenes Deutsch
https://dgd.ids-mannheim.de/dgd/pragdb.dgd_extern.welcome

Textanalyseportal (Universität Bielefeld):
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYjzHOPr8LYLbwNY9B-0pyg/playlists

Wendecorpus
https://www.bpb.de/themen/deutschlandarchiv/301575/wendekorpus-eine-audio-zeitreise/

More specific texts and on-line resources will be indicated at the beginning of the course. Most material will be available on the platform Virtuale.

Language learning course (esercitazioni di lingua)

The material follows the CEFR's theoretical and methodological principles and are suitable for university students. Further information will be given at the beginning of the language learning course.

Teaching methods

The course will be combine place-based formal classes with online educational materials and opportunities for interaction in the classroom.

Assessment methods

1. Formal classes (with Prof. Thüne)

Assessment is based either on three in-course assessments scheduled throughout the semester (October, November, and December), or on the presentation of a written assignment during the course and a final oral examination.

Please note: AI can be a useful tool to support independent study by providing in-depth analysis, summaries, and self-assessment exercises. With regard to assessment, the use of AI is prohibited during in-person exams. Any use of AI constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

2. Language learning course

The language learning course involves a written assessment:
 a 'short' written term paper ("Hausarbeit") of 4 pages (cover page, bibliography etc. excluded), on a subject to be agreed with Dott. Mina.

Students with SLDs or temporary or permanent disabilities: we suggest that you contact the relevant university office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en) and your professor immediately to work together to find the most effective strategies for attending classes and/or preparing for exams.

Any requests for accommodations must be made at least 15 days before the date of the exam, by sending an email to the lecturer and copying (Cc) the email address [disabilita@unibo.it [mailto:disabilita@unibo.it] ](mailto:disabilita@unibo.it ) (in case of disability) or [dsa@unibo.it [mailto:dsa@unibo.it] ](mailto:dsa@unibo.it ) (for students with Specific Learning Difficulties).

The final mark for the course “German Linguistics” will be a combination of the exam results from the part held by Prof. Thüne and the language course held by Dott. Mina, with the former counting double.

Students have the right to refuse the final mark for the course and take the whole exam again. Before taking this step students and in particular those about to graduate should be aware that for the practical language part of the course there is only one exam day per session.

Teaching tools

texts and audio and video corpora, power point presentations, exercises and use of internet platforms

Links to further information

http://www.aperandosini.eu/aperandosini/home.html

Office hours

See the website of Eva-Maria Christina Charlotte Thune