30923 - General Linguistics 1 (OFA)

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 serch 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

The course is an introduction to general linguistics and does not require any previous knowledge. It aims at providing the students with specific tools to carry out a scientifically valid analysis of any language. First of all, the notions of "human language" (as a general faculty) and of "specific language" will be introduced, together with those properties that are specific to human language (versus other non-human languages). The course will also discuss the way in which the various specific languages can be classified, from different points of view. Secondly, the course will focus of the fact that languages can be structured and studied according to different levels of analysis: phonology (including the description and use of the International Phonetic Alphabet), morphology, syntax and semantics. Finally, we will analyse the way in which language may vary in different dimensions: space, time and society.

Readings/Bibliography

Main manual:

• Graffi, Giorgio & Sergio Scalise (2003), Le lingue e il linguaggio, Bologna, Il Mulino.

Other obligatory texts:

• Grandi, Nicola (2003), Fondamenti di tipologia linguistica, Roma, Carocci.

• Robins, Robert H. (2006), Storia della linguistica, Bologna, Il Mulino.

Other resourses:

• Any further indication on reading materials will be given during the classes.

• It is worthwhile to consult, when necessary, the Dizionario di linguistica e di filologia, metrica, retorica (Turin, Einaudi, 2004, new edition), edited by Gian Luigi Beccaria.

• Finally, it is highly recommended to consult the slides that will be published every week on "Collezione AMS Campus", among the teaching materials of this course.

Teaching methods

The course is mainly based on traditional lectures. Data from different languages will be presented in both a theoretical and an empirical perspective.

Assessment methods

A written exam containing 30 questions on the contents of the course. The exam should be completed in approx. 2 hours.

Teaching tools

PowerPoint slides and other IT and web resourses will be used in order to illustrate the contents and to provide examples and schemas.

Office hours

See the website of Francesca Masini