69318 - General Linguistics (B)

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 designed to give students the basic tools for studying human language and its forms: natural languages.
The course explains different levels of linguistic analysis using examples from Italian as well as other European and non-European languages, and the diversity of languages from the world will be a central theme.
We will start with the semiotic foundations of language and the distinction between “language as cognitive faculty” and “language as manifestation”, to show what makes human language different from other kinds of communication (animal or artificial). We will also look at what languages are, how they vary across societies and regions, and how they can be classified from a genealogical point of view. We will also go through the main stages in the history of linguistics, focusing especially on modern linguistics in the 19th and 20th centuries.
The core of the course will cover the main areas of linguistic analysis and the methods used to study them: phonetics and phonology, morphology and the lexicon, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics. We will also look at the world’s linguistic diversity and how children and adults learn languages, from a cognitive perspective—that is, focusing on how the human mind works in relation to language.
The course will end with an overview of the role of linguists today, both in academia and in society.

Readings/Bibliography

Reference material
• Gaetano Berruto & Massimo Cerruti (2022). La Linguistica. Un corso introduttivo. Torino: Utet

The slides shown in class will be uploaded weekly on the e-learning platform, at the end of each week/topic. Reading them is strongly recommended, both for attending and non-attending students.
Additional bibliographic references related to specific parts of the course will be provided during the lectures.

Further readings for non-attending students:
• Francesca Masini & Nicola Grandi (2017). Tutto ciò che hai sempre voluto sapere sul linguaggio e sulle lingue. Bologna: Caissa Italia

Teaching methods

In-person lectures

Assessment methods

The exam is written and lasts an hour and a half. It consists of 25 multiple-choice questions worth 1 point each, plus 3 open-ended questions worth 2 points each. The goal is mainly to assess students’ ability to apply the theoretical knowledge acquired during the course. The written test will include practical exercises in linguistic analysis as well as questions where students will need to make theoretical and methodological choices, showing that they have developed the skills required to analyze natural language and linguistic data. The exam will feature different types of questions (both open and closed) covering all topics in the syllabus.
In addition to substantive accuracy, formal correctness and clarity of expression in the open-ended questions will also be assessed. Excellent grades will be awarded to students who demonstrate a thorough and integrated understanding of the topics, mastery of expression, command of the subject-specific terminology, and solid analytical skills. Partial knowledge of the material, correct but sometimes uncertain use of terminology, or less precise analytical ability will result in good or satisfactory grades. Limited knowledge of the topics, imprecise language, and weak analytical skills will lead to passing or barely passing grades. Significant gaps in both theoretical and practical knowledge, together with inadequate expression, will result in failing grades.

Teaching tools

During the lectures, slides will be shown to illustrate and expand on the topics covered in the textbooks, using diagrams and examples. Online and other electronic resources will also be used.

Office hours

See the website of Andrea Amelio Ravelli