69318 - General Linguistics (A)

Learning outcomes

The course aims at introducing the basics properties of human language, its levels of analysis (phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics) and their interrelations. Both a synchronic and diachronic perspective will be adopted. The course will give an overview of the main theoretical models in linguistics and their epistemological foundations. Moreover, it will provide the students with some basic notions regarding the various subdisciplines of linguistics, such as typology (and the search for linguistic universals), sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics, lexicology, computational linguistics. At the end of the course, the students will be able to analyze any text from the phonological, morphological, syntactic and semantic point of view.

Course contents

This is an introductory course in Theoretical Linguistics and does not presuppose any previous training in the subject.
The main topics are the following. Definition of language and linguistics. Linguistic sign and Saussure's dichotomies. Illustration and use of the International Phonetic Alphabet. Basic notions of phonetic, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics. Genealogical and typological classification of languages.

Readings/Bibliography

G. Berruto, M. Cerruti (2011). La linguistica. Un corso introduttivo.Torino: UTET Università.

G.F. Arcodia, C. Mauri (2016). La diversità linguistica. Roma: Carocci.

F. Casadei (2011), Breve dizionario di linguistica. Roma: Carocci (nuova edizione).

Teaching methods

The course is essentially based on frontal teaching. During the lessons has been planned the screening of slides to show graphics, layouts and examples concerning the topics of the textbook.

Assessment methods

The evaluation of the competencies and abilities acquired during the course consists of an oral test organized as follows: a short exercise aimed at verifying the proficiency in using the international phonetic alphabet (IPA), as well as in commenting and explaining values and uses of symbols, with special regard to the phonemic inventory of Italian. Next, an interview designed to assess the understanding of the topics covered during the course, as well as the faculties of analysis, reflection and comparison applied to materials and examples from various languages. To be precise, the questions will focus primarily (but not exclusively) on issues of morphology, syntax, semantics and linguistic typology.

The achievement of a wide and systematic understanding of the issues covered during the lessons, the demonstration of competence and mastery of field-specific terminology, the capacity for synthesis and connection between the various areas of the discipline, as well as between it and the languages studied, will be assessed with a mark of excellence.

A mnemonic knowledge of the subject, with superficial analytical capability and ability to synthesize, a command of the language that is correct but with uncertainties, will be given a ‘fair' mark.

A superficial understanding of the material, a scarce analytical propensity with language and expression not always appropriate, will be rewarded with a pass mark or just above a pass mark.

Gaps in the knowledge of the subject matter, inappropriate language use, lack of orientation in the materials offered during the course, lead to the prediction that the examination will be a waste of time for both student and teacher.

Teaching tools

Ipad, beamer.

Office hours

See the website of Elisabetta Magni