37448 - Experimental Linguistics Laboratory (1) (2nd cycle)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the Laboratory the students are able to independently conduct an experiment in the field of experimental linguistics, in its different phases. He can organize and gather complex information in a consistent form and is able to apply critical analysis methodologies on linguistic phenomena.

Course contents

This laboratory has as its main goal to present and discuss methods usually displayed in linguistic research and, more specifically, in linguistic typology. The main phases of a typological investigation will be presented. In particular, we will focus on the following methodological phases focusing on issues and possible solutions, both from a theoretical and a practical-methodological perspective:

- Types of typological investigations

- Identification and definition of the research object and of the parameters of analysis

- Creation of a balanced language sample

- How to gather, systematize and analyze data

- Identification and explanations of typological generalizations.

In addition to class lessons, the students will participate in some practical exercises in which the topics of the laboratory will be introduced and discussed.

Readings/Bibliography

- Class notes.

- Suggested readings:

i) Haspelmath, M. 2003. The geometry of grammatical meaning: semantic maps and crosslinguistic comparison. In M. Tomasello (ed.), The new psychology of language 2, 211–242. Mahwah: Erlbaum.

ii) Georgakopoulos, T. & S. Polis. 2018. The semantic map model: State of the art and future avenues for linguistic research. Language and Linguistics Compass 12:e12270.

iii) Masini, F. & S. Mattiola. 2019. Come fare tipologia oltre le categorie tradizionali? In C. Gianollo & C. Mauri (acd), CLUB Working Papers in Linguistics 3, 282–294.Bologna: AMS Acta.

iv) Mattiola, S. 2019. Verso una tipologia delle costruzioni plurazionali nelle lingue del mondo. In C. Gianollo & C. Mauri (acd), CLUB Working papers in linguistics 3, 146–176. Bologna: AMS Acta.

v) Mattiola, Simone. 2020. Two language samples for maximizing linguistic variety. Bologna: AMS Acta.

Teaching methods

Lectures + exercises.

Assessment methods

Attendance and participation in the activities of the Laboratory count as an evaluation criterion for the purposes of the final assessment, which will consist in an oral exam.

The oral exam aims at assessing the assimilation of the notion discussed during the course, and of the basic methods that drive linguistic analysis and current research in the field of linguistics.

It is obligatory for the students to sign up for the exam through Almaesami.

Teaching tools

All the students are required to enroll to the course page on the e-learning platform Virtuale where all the slide presentations will be uplaoded.

Office hours

See the website of Simone Mattiola