OVERVIEW

This module includes an introduction to Swedish phonetics and phonology and a practical Swedish language course at the A1/A2 level.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

This module aims to introduce students to the scientific study of Swedish phonetics and phonology and to bring students to the A1/A2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

"Phonetics and phonology of the Swedish language", linguistics module ("theoretical module") made up of 30 classroom lectures equivalent to 9 ECTS that can be obtained by passing the exams related to the theoretical module and to the practical course.

The "theoretical" module consists of an introduction to the phonetics, phonology and prosody of Swedish, followed by a few notes on the morphological structures of the Swedish lexicon and to the morphosyntactic structures of the language. More specifically: the Scandinavian languages, Swedish vowels and consonants, phonological rules, phonotaxis and syllables, accent, stress and tone, orthography, lexical prosody, derivation, composition, rhythm and intonation.

The "practical" course is made up of 80 classes. The main topics will be: noun and adjective declension, verb conjugation, personal, demonstrative and possessive pronouns, numerals, main and simple clauses, relative and objective clauses, word order; basic vocabulary and phraseology.

TEACHING METHODS

Swedish Language I is divided into two parts: a one-semester linguistics module ("modulo teorico"), which is held in the second semester, and a two-semester practical language module ("modulo pratico" or "esercitazioni" or "lettorato").
The linguistics module is made up of weekly classroom lectures (3 hours a week over 10 weeks in the second semester).
The practical module is made up of weekly classes (4 hours a week over 20 weeks, i.e. 10 weeks per semester).
Attendance is not compulsory but strongly recommended.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The "theoretical" module consists of an introduction to the phonetics, phonology and prosody of Swedish, followed by a few notes on the morphological structures of the Swedish lexicon and to the morphosyntactic structures of the language. More specifically: the Scandinavian languages, Swedish vowels and consonants, phonological rules, phonotaxis and syllables, accent, stress and tone, orthography, lexical prosody, derivation, composition, rhythm and intonation.

The main topics of the "practical" course will be: noun and adjective declension, verb conjugation, personal, demonstrative and possessive pronouns, numerals, main and simple clauses, relative and objective clauses, word order; basic vocabulary and phraseology.

"Swedish Phonetics and Phonology", linguistics module made up of 30 classroom lectures: Swedish vowels and consonants, phonological processes, phonotactics and syllables, stress and tone, orthography, lexical prosody, word formation, rhythm and intonation.
The practical module is made up of 80 classes: noun and adjective inflection, verbs, personal, demonstrative and possessive pronouns, numerals, simple sentences, noun clauses, relative clauses, word order, basic vocabulary.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Lecture notes for the theoretical module distributed during the lessons and available in AulaWeb in the second semester. More information will be provided during the lessons.
P. Marelli: "La lingua svedese: Fonetica e fonologia" (in preparation).
For Swedish language practice: Anna Brännström and others: "Lagom Lätt" and other materials distributed during the lessons.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

PAOLO MARELLI (President)

CELINA NADIA BUNGE

CHIARA BENATI (Substitute)

DAVIDE AGOSTINO FINCO (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Linguistics module in the second semester (February-May), practical module in the first and second semester (October-May).
Language practice lessons: wednesday 14-16 and thursday 11-13 (start 7 October); online classes on Teams.
Linguistics module lessons: days and rooms to be defined.

Class schedule

SWEDISH LANGUAGE I

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The linguistics module (only for 9 CFU) is assessed through an oral exam. There are two sittings in each of the three exam sessions. The practical module is assessed through a written paper (one sitting in each of the three exam sessions) and an oral exam (two sittings in each session).

The written paper consists of a dictation, a short composition and a grammar test (about ten different exercises).
The oral exam on the theoretical module consists of the analysis of a Swedish sentence: identification of morphemes, syllables, accent, stress and tone, phonetic transcription of some words.
The oral exam on the practical module consists of a grammar test and a conversation in Swedish.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The written paper will verify the knowledge of grammar rules and of the basic vocabulary (test), the acquisition of written skills (composition), reading (test) and a listening comprehension (dictation).

The oral exam of the practical module will assess the acquisition of speaking skills at A2 Level, as well as the assimilation of grammar rules and basic vocabulary.

The oral exam of the theoretical module will assess the acquisition of the theoretical principles of the phonetics and phonology of Swedish, the ability to transcribe in the international phonetic alphabet any Swedish word, the understanding of the relationship between phonetics/phonology and spelling, the ability to analyze a complex word.

The final mark is calculated as follows:

33% (of the overall mark) is the written practical part;
33% (of the overall mark) is the oral practical part;
33% (of the overall mark) is the linguistics part.

Exam schedule