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 contemporary theories and applications in the field of language and communication.

Course contents

This course offers a structured and dynamic overview of the origin, nature, and functioning of the linguistic sign, analyzed from two complementary perspectives: semiotics and psycholinguistics. While semiotics focuses on the structure and formal properties of the sign, psycholinguistics explores how signs are understood, mentally represented, and acquired.

Key topics addressed in the course include:

• the theoretical debate on the origin of verbal language and why it evolved in the human species;

• models of communication within cognitive pragmatics;

• the role of context in meaning construction and distributional models of meaning representation;

• the cognitive principles underlying lexical acquisition in children (L1) and in adults (L2/FL);

• the mechanism of cognitive abstraction, by which the human mind builds meaning from sensory experience and communicative interaction;

• nudging and framing mechanisms in communication (including metaphorical framing) and their impact on the comprehensibility of written texts.

Throughout the course, students will be guided in critically reflecting on a set of core questions, such as:

• What is the function of verbal language? Where does word meaning come from? How do we mentally represent lexical information?

• How do words help us categorize experience and construct abstract concepts?

• How do linguistic signs vary across different natural languages? In what ways do they filter and structure our perception of reality?

• How do abstraction and categorization operate in both verbal and visual language?

• What role do metaphors and conceptual frames play in meaning construction and in influencing thought and behavior? In which contexts? For which types of communicators?

Note: This is an advanced linguistics course with a strong psycholinguistic orientation. A basic knowledge of general linguistics and its methodologies is required.
Students who feel the need to review foundational concepts and terminology are encouraged to consult one of the following introductory textbooks:

• Berruto, G., & Cerruti, M. La linguistica. Un corso introduttivo (2022 or 2017 edition);

• or: Graffi, G., & Scalise, S. Le lingue e il linguaggio (2013 edition).

 

Readings/Bibliography

The following books are available at the university library or can be purchased online:

• Nick Enfield, Language vs. Reality: Why Language is Good for Lawyers and Bad for Scientists, MIT Press, 2022.
  (Chapters 1 to 6 inclusive)

• Luigi Anolli, Fondamenti di psicologia della comunicazione, Il Mulino, 2nd edition, 2012.

In addition to the textbooks listed above, further scientific articles (in either Italian or English) will be selected by the instructor and assigned during group work activities, as described in the Teaching Methods section.

All materials presented in class (slides, diagrams, examples, etc.) are considered an integral part of the exam syllabus for attending students and will be made available weekly on the "Virtuale" e-learning platform.

Additional Reading for Non-Attending Students

Non-attending students must supplement the textbook readings with the following book, which covers topics addressed in class:

• Filippo Domaneschi & Carlo Penco, Come non detto. Usi e abusi dei sottintesi, Laterza.

Non-attending students are also required to contact the instructor for an individual meeting, during which they will be assigned an additional scientific article to study as part of their exam preparation.

Teaching methods

Most classes will be delivered in a lecture-based format, supported by slides and multimedia materials. Alongside traditional lectures, the course includes collaborative and participatory activities designed to encourage critical thinking and independent application of theoretical concepts.

Each student will be assigned to a working group, responsible for studying a scientific article selected during the first part of the course. In the second part of the semester, on a date agreed upon with the instructor, each group will present the content of the article to the class using slides.

Presentations will be followed by a theory-focused class discussion, moderated by the instructor, aimed at deepening understanding.

Assessment methods

The final assessment will consist of a written exam with 5 open-ended questions, designed to evaluate the following:

• the knowledge acquired during the course;

• the command of specialized terminology;

• the ability to contextualize theoretical concepts;

• and the capacity to critically analyze concrete case studies.

Evaluation Criteria

The final grade will be based on:

• the clarity of expression and formal accuracy of the responses;

• the completeness of the content covered;

• the student's argumentative skills and critical thinking;

• the oral presentation of a scientific article (group activity).
  Non-attending students will be required to answer one additional open-ended question related to the supplementary article assigned.

Excellent marks will be awarded to exams that demonstrate a solid and integrated understanding of the topics, precise and appropriate use of language, and effective application of analytical tools.

Good or fair marks will reflect a generally sound preparation, with minor weaknesses in terminology or analytical ability.

Sufficient or borderline marks will indicate limited and fragmented knowledge, imprecise language, and weak or underdeveloped analytical skills.

Exams that reveal significant theoretical or practical gaps, inadequate expression, or improper use of disciplinary terminology will receive a failing grade.

Teaching tools

During in-class lectures, projected slides and/or printed handouts will be used to support the delivery of course content.

All teaching materials (slides, diagrams, examples, etc.) will be uploaded weekly to the Virtuale platform.
For attending students, these materials are considered an integral part of the exam syllabus.
Non-attending students are also strongly encouraged to study them, as they provide essential support for exam preparation.

Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities. Any requests for adaptation must be made within 15 days of the exam date, by sending an email to the teacher and inserting in CC the email address disabili@unibo.it (in case of disability conditions) or dsa@unibo.it (for students with DSA).

Office hours

See the website of lecturer Marianna Bolognesi: https://www.unibo.it/sitoweb/m.bolognesi/en

Office hours

See the website of Marianna Marcella Bolognesi