28860 - History of the Italian Language (LM)

Academic Year 2021/2022

  • Docente: Riccardo Tesi
  • Credits: 12
  • SSD: L-FIL-LET/12
  • Language: Italian
  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Italian Studies, European Literary Cultures, Linguistics (cod. 9220)

Learning outcomes

On completion of this module, students will acquire tools and methods of analysis regarding the diachronic competence of the Italian language at an advanced or specialised level. Students will be able to analyse in depth texts, by using suitable tools (grammars and historical dictionaries, textual corpora online on old Italian etc.). Students will be able to combine this analysis with the theoretical and methodological reflection on issues linked to the historical and cultural dimension of the Italian language.

Course contents

The module is divided into two parts (30 hours each).

Erasmus students are welcome to attend second semester course (February-May 2022).

Topics for the first part:

Foreign words in Italian. History, typology, use of loanwords.

Topics for the second part:

Language an forms of talk into Discorso sopra lo stato presente dei costumi degl'italiani (1824) by Giacomo Leopardi.

The specific bibliography for each part of the module will be distributed in class during the first weeks.

Readings/Bibliography

The specific bibliography will be provided at the beginning of the module.

It is recommended you read (for both parts of the module) the main textbook: R. Tesi, Storia dell'italiano. La formazione della lingua comune dalle fasi iniziali al Rinascimento, Bologna, Zanichelli, 2007; Id:, Storia dell'italiano. La lingua moderna e contemporanea, Bologna, Zanichelli, 2005.

The reading of the textbook is compulsory (and will be assessed in the oral examination) for students who have not attended the module Storia della lingua italiana during the ‘laurea triennale’.

The program for non-attending students is available on the teacher's website, serction "Useful contents": www. unibo.it/sitoweb/riccardo.tesi/contenuti-utili/211a5429).

Teaching methods

Textual analysis of texts belong to past centuries with specialised approach.

Assessment methods

The assessment for this module is on the methodology (specialised approach) of this discipline.

Students should demonstrate the ability to use all the bibliographical tools (paper and electronic) required to analyse a text that preferably belongs to past centuries.

Office hours

See the website of Riccardo Tesi