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

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 that can be studied through a variety of theoretical and methodological approaches. Linguistic analysis requires a sound knowledge of the elements that structure a language and of the relationships between them.

The main aim of the course is to introduce some of the fundamental concepts, methods, and tools used in the linguistic analysis of contemporary Spanish. After a brief introduction to linguistic terminology and the main areas of linguistic study, the course will be divided into three thematic sections.

1. Phonetics and phonology

The first section introduces the fundamental concepts of Spanish phonetics and phonology. The following topics will be covered:

• the distinction between phonetics and phonology;

• the vocal tract and the production of speech sounds;

• the articulatory classification of Spanish sounds;

• the vowel and consonant systems;

• the distinction between phones, phonemes, and allophones;

• phonological oppositions and minimal pairs;

• the main allophonic realisations of Spanish phonemes;

• phonetic and phonological transcription;

• syllable structure;

• diphthongs, triphthongs, and hiatuses;

• lexical stress and accentuation;

• the fundamental features of Spanish intonation.

The theoretical concepts will be applied to the identification, classification, and transcription of Spanish sounds, phonemes, and sequences.

2. Morphology

The second section focuses on the internal structure of words and the fundamental principles of morphological analysis. The following topics will be covered:

• the concept of the word and the criteria used to identify words;

• the distinction between lexemes, words, word forms, and morphemes;

• roots and affixes;

• free and bound morphemes;

• lexical and grammatical morphemes;

• inflection and derivation;

• morphemes and allomorphs;

• the segmentation and representation of the internal structure of words;

• verbal inflection.

The practical activities will focus on identifying, segmenting, and classifying the morphological constituents of Spanish words.

3. Lexicon and word formation

The third section introduces the study of the Spanish lexicon and the main mechanisms through which it is organised and expanded. The following topics will be covered:

• the concepts of lexicon and lexical competence;

• the distinction between inherited vocabulary, loanwords, and neologisms;

• word families and relationships between lexical units;

• derivation through prefixation and suffixation;

• compounding;

• parasynthetic word formation;

• abbreviations, initialisms, acronyms, and clippings;

• loanwords and calques;

• formal and semantic neology;

• lexicalisation processes;

• the analysis of the structure and meaning of recently formed words.

The theoretical concepts will be complemented by the analysis of authentic words and examples drawn from texts, dictionaries, linguistic corpora, and other Spanish-language reference resources.

Spanish LanguageExercises (Esercitazioni)

The course comprises two integrated components: Spanish Linguistics lectures and Spanish Language Exercises. The latter are taught by the following lecturers, according to the alphabetical grouping of students’ surnames:

Dr Ana Reyes Carvalho Martí – Group A–F

Dr María Delia Cocera Martínez – Group G–O

Dr Blanca Fernández García – Group P–Z

The Spanish Language Exercises begin in the first semester and run throughout the academic year. They are designed to develop the written and oral comprehension and production skills corresponding to level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

The Spanish Language Exercises are primarily practical in nature, and the related examinations are based on the skills developed and activities carried out during classes. Although attendance is not compulsory, participation is strongly recommended to ensure adequate preparation for the examinations.

The Spanish Language Exercises constitute an integral part of the course and cannot be taken or recorded separately. Students must pass the corresponding written and oral examinations before taking the Spanish Linguistics oral examination.

For detailed information on the content, required readings, and assessment methods for the Spanish Language Classes, please consult the page corresponding to your group:

• 95378 – Spanish Language and Linguistic Exercises 1 – A, Group A–F [https://www.unibo.it/it/studiare/dottorati-master-specializzazioni-e-altra-formazione/insegnamenti/insegnamento/2024/465733]

• 95379 – Spanish Language and Linguistic Exercises 1 – B, Group G–O [https://www.unibo.it/it/studiare/dottorati-master-specializzazioni-e-altra-formazione/insegnamenti/insegnamento/2024/465735]

• 95380 – Spanish Language and Linguistic Exercises 1 – C, Group P–Z [https://www.unibo.it/it/studiare/insegnamenti-competenze-trasversali-moocs/insegnamenti/insegnamento/2026/515260]

Readings/Bibliography

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

Hualde, José Ignacio, Antxon Olarrea, Anna María Escobar, Catherine E. Travis and Cristina Sanz (2021, or another edition specified by the lecturer), Introducción a la lingüística hispánica, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, Chapters 1–3.

Additional materials required for examination preparation will be made available on the Virtuale platform.

Teaching methods

The course combines lectures with individual and group practical activities. Theoretical explanations will be complemented by activities designed to apply the concepts and analytical tools introduced during the lectures.

The activities will include phonetic transcription and analysis, the identification of phonemes and allophones, the segmentation and morphological analysis of words, the identification of word-formation processes, and the analysis of linguistic data and examples.

Exercises will be assigned both in class and as homework. The results will be discussed and corrected individually or collectively, depending on the type of activity. The lecturer’s feedback will aim to consolidate students’ knowledge, correct errors, and progressively develop their ability to conduct independent analysis.

Texts, audiovisual materials, and other digital resources will be used throughout the course. All activities will be conducted in Spanish and will require the active participation of students.

Although attendance is not compulsory, participation in classes is strongly recommended.

Assessment methods

Requirement for admission to the Spanish Linguistics examination

Passing the written and oral examinations for the Spanish Language Exercises is a mandatory requirement for admission to the Spanish Linguistics examination.

Information on the format, duration, and assessment criteria of the Spanish Language Exercises examinations is provided on the pages dedicated to the three groups.

Spanish Linguistics examination

Assessment consists of an oral examination in Spanish covering the theoretical content and analytical tools addressed during the course.

The examination is designed to assess students’ knowledge of linguistic terminology and of the main concepts of phonetics, phonology, morphology, and the Spanish lexicon, as well as their ability to apply these concepts independently to the analysis of linguistic data and examples. Students’ ability to establish connections between the different topics covered in the syllabus and to discuss them clearly and appropriately in Spanish, using the relevant specialist terminology accurately, will also be assessed.

Optional mid-course examination

During the teaching period, students may take an optional written mid-course examination covering the part of the syllabus completed by the date of the examination. It consists of multiple-choice questions, open-ended questions, and practical analysis exercises. Students who pass the mid-course examination will be assessed in the subsequent oral examination only on the remaining part of the syllabus. Students who do not take or do not pass the mid-course examination will be assessed in the oral examination on the entire syllabus.

The final grade for the course is determined equally by the grade awarded for the Spanish Language Exercises (50%) and the grade awarded for Spanish Linguistics (50%).

Assessment criteria for the Spanish Linguistics examination

Assessment will take into account students’ knowledge of the course content, their ability to apply theoretical concepts to linguistic analysis and to establish connections between different topics, their capacity for independent reasoning, the clarity and coherence of their presentation, their command of the relevant specialist terminology, and their communicative competence in Spanish.

ERASMUS STUDENTS

Please note: Erasmus students from Spanish universities enrolled in degree programmes in Spanish Philology, Romance Philology, or Education are NOT eligible to take this course, for reasons relating to its content and organisation.

Erasmus students from other European universities must contact the teaching staff within the first two weeks of the course to receive guidance on the required language level, the syllabi, and the examination procedures.

Students with specific learning disorders (SLDs) or temporary or permanent disabilities are advised to contact the relevant University office in good time:

https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en

The office will propose any appropriate adjustments. These must be submitted to the teacher for approval at least 15 days in advance. The teacher will assess their suitability in relation to the learning outcomes of the course.

Teaching tools

The slides used during classes and any additional teaching materials will be made available on the Virtuale platform.

Authentic texts and linguistic examples, websites, online dictionaries and reference resources, linguistic corpora, audio recordings, and audiovisual materials will also be used to support teaching and learning activities. Interactive exercises and self-assessment activities may also be provided through the Virtuale platform.

Office hours

See the website of Marcello Giugliano