69704 - Idioms and Language (LM)

Learning outcomes

The course aims to provide students with the most relevant and useful notions of theoretical and applied linguistics to develop an original comparison with some contemporary theories and applications of semiotics.

Course contents

The course offers a dynamic and multifaceted overview of the origins, meaning, and construction of the linguistic sign from a semiotic perspective and from a cognitivist perspective, two perspectives often contrasted because they focus the former on the structure of the sign and the latter on its processing and representation.

Topics addressed include the theoretical debate on the nature and origin of the linguistic sign, why verbal language exists in the human species, and the differences between signs used in different communicative systems. The functioning of the cognitive mechanism of abstraction employed by the human mind to construct meaning from sensory experiences and communicative exchanges will also be addressed.

During the course we will address the following general questions:

- Where does the meaning of words come from? Where do we get the information that makes up the meaning of the linguistic sign and how do we represent it in the mind? What role do words play in helping us categorize experiences and thus abstract and construct meaning from those experiences?
- How do linguistic signs vary among natural languages? What is universal about linguistic sign construction and understanding?
- What differences and similarities exist between linguistic signs and pictorial signs? What role does iconicity play in verbal language?
- How does abstraction work in verbal language and pictorial language? How does categorization work and what role do words play in the construction of conceptual categories?
- How do metaphors and metaphorical frames convey meaning and influence the thoughts and actions of communication participants? In what contexts? For what types of communication participants?

PLEASE NOTE - The course is designed as an advanced course in linguistics. Therefore, a basic knowledge of general linguistics and its methods is required. Those who have never taken a basic linguistics exam will have to make up for it on their own by studying a basic textbook (e.g. Berruto G., and Cerruti, M. "La linguistica. Un corso introduttivo" (ed. 2022 or 2017); or Graffi G., Scalise S. "Le lingue e il linguaggio" (ed. 2013).

Readings/Bibliography

Handbooks

- Nick Enfield "Language vs. Reality: Why Language is Good for Lawyers and Bad for Scientists" (MIT Press, 2022).

- Francesca Ervas “Pensare e parlare. I fondamenti cognitivi della comunicazione” (Editori Riuniti, Roma, 2016).

Depending on students' language skills, which chapters of each of the two textbooks to study as compulsory exam material will be indicated by the lecturer.

In addition to the textbooks, scholarly articles in Italian or English will be selected by the lecturer for group work described in the Teaching Methods section.

Materials used in lectures (slides, etc.) are part of the exam program for attending students.

Texts suggested to non-attending students (in addition to textbooks and articles)

• Option 1: Filippo Domaneschi & Carlo Penco. “Come non detto. Usi e abusi dei sottintesi”. Editore Laterza.
• Option 2: Fracesca Ervas & Elisabetta Gola. “Che cos’è una metafora”. Editore Carocci.

 

Teaching methods

Most of the lectures will be held face-to-face, but there will be time for group work and returning the work to the class in oral form. Specifically, each group will have the task of studying a scientific article selected in the first part of the course and, on the date agreed with the lecturer, in the second part of the course, presenting the contents of the article to the class with slides. This will be followed by theoretical discussion related to the contents of the article with the rest of the class.

Assessment methods

The exam consists of a written examination designed to assess the student's knowledge acquired during the course, as well as his or her ability to contextualize specific issues and analyze concrete case studies. Non-attending students will be required to read an additional text (indicated in the bibliography) to cover course content addressed in class.

The student's ability to answer individual questions clearly, formally correct and comprehensively will be considered in the evaluation. In addition to substantive correctness of content, the student's clarity of expression and argumentative ability will also be matters for evaluation. Those who achieve an organic and comprehensive view of the topics on the examination syllabus, demonstrating mastery of expression and knowledge of the specific language of the subject, as well as the possession of adequate analytical skills, will earn marks of excellence. Partial knowledge of the topics, correct exposition but with uncertainties in the use of the relevant terminology, as well as less pronounced and precise analytical skills, will lead to fair or acceptable grades. Limited knowledge of the topics on the syllabus, a property of language that is not always adequate and poor propensity for analysis will lead to sufficient or slightly above sufficient evaluations. Major formative gaps in both the theoretical and practical parts and inadequate language will only result in negative evaluations.

Teaching tools

During classroom lectures, slides will be projected and/or printed materials will be used to support the lectures.
Slides and other teaching materials will be posted on Virtual on a weekly basis. All lecture materials used in class will be examination material for attending students. Non-frequent attendees are also encouraged to study the lecture materials posted on Virtuale.

Office hours

See the website of lecturer Marianna Bolognesi.

Office hours

See the website of Marianna Marcella Bolognesi