The common part of the course aims at providing a complete knowledge of basic Linguistics: levels analysis, phonetic transcription, historical and typological Linguistics, theory of sign.
The part for classical students focuses on linguistic reconstruction of Proto-Indo-European and prohistory of Classical Languages.
General linguistics is the study of language and languages. A specific objective of a linguistic theory is to define the language as a system: each semiotic system, verbal and non verbal. Beyond a more immanent perspective aimed at the study of specific systems, especially verbal ones, ‘our’ and ‘other’ historical languages, ancient and modern languages, general Linguistics courses affect various sectors of interdisciplinary research. Introduction to historical-comparative linguistics: Classification of languages: linguistic relations and affinities (with specific reference to Indo-European languages). Comparison and reconstruction: objectives, methods and limits / Profile of comparative Indo-European grammar: Glottological reading and comment of language texts.
The course enables students:
1) to master the basic knowledges in General Linguistics;
2) (for students of Classics) to master the comparative-reconstructive method and to evaluate the history of classical languages as an evolution along thousand-year genetic axes of a proto-language called Indo-European, recognisable in its historical forms in a dozen linguistic branches and in a comparison among Latin, Greek, Sanskrit (Vedic) and Gothic
1) for everyone: a good knowledge of Italian and its morpho-syntactic structure;
2) for students of Classics: a good knoledge of Greek and Latin.
Lectures, distribution of materials at lectures and with Aulaweb, phonetical exercises.
Programme for students taking the course for 6 cfu
Linguistics and glottology. Fundamentals of the discipline. Synchronic and diachronic study of languages, phonetics and phonology, morphology, variability of languages, classification of languages: genealogical affinities and relations among languages.
More synthetically: Berruto-Cerruti’s manual except some parts that will be indicated.
Programme for students taking the course for 9 cru
More synthetically: Berruto-Cerruti’s manual indicated in the first module and a chosen part of Greek and Latin linguistic prehistory.
Programme for the second cycle of lectures.
Reconstruction of Indo-European. The phonological system of Indo-European reconstructed. Elements of Indo-European morphology and syntax. Reading of texts with glottological comment.
Programme for students taking the course for 12 cfu
More synthetically: Berruto-Cerruti’s manual indicated in the first modulea chosen part of Greek and Latin linguistic prehistory.
See the Italian part.
Ricevimento: Tuesday, 10-11. Istituto di Glottologia, Balbi 4, third floor.
ROSA RONZITTI (President)
GUIDO GIOVANNI BORGHI
CLAUDIA CAFFI
Second semester.
HISTORICAL LINGUISTICS
Written exame for modernists, oral exam for students of Classics.
Phonetical transcription.
The assessment method consists of :
a written text for modernists;
2) an oral test that examines the entire programme undertaken at lectures for students of Classical languages.
For everyone: phonetical transcription.
Students who do not attend are urged to contact teaching staff at least a month before taking the exam.
