AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

In this semester, from the pragmatic level, often expressed through so-called suprasegmental features such as length, intonation, and intensity, we will move to the segmental level and then return in closing to the suprasegmental level. The general aim of the course is to properly recognize the phonological diachronic processes by analyzing the segmental and suprasegmental developments of Latin and the Romance (and Germanic) languages, with particular regard to contact situations.

At the conclusion of this course, participants should be able to organize a taxonomy of the processes analyzed and place them in coherent interpretive frameworks based on empirical evidence and aware of both the historical dimension and the typological plausibility of language systems. This update of the historic-comparative method aims to better define linguistic structures and also takes into account levels often neglected by diachronic phonology such as rhythm and prosody.

PREREQUISITES

Basic knowledge of notions related to general linguistics is required.

All students are required to sign up to Aulaweb.

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures. Lessons will be held in person.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course is divided into seven parts corresponding roughly to the weekly schedule of classes.

I. Principles of Phonological change

II. The consonantal system of the Romance languages: Latin ancestors, substrate and superstrate hypotheses

III. The romance diphthongization: data and interpretation

IV. Systems in contact: the Italo-romance dialects

V. Systems in contact: Romance languages in the Balkan

VI. Systems in contact: Germanic and Romance languages from the Alps to the Rhine and the Danube

VII. Rhythm as trigger for phonological change (with examples from the northern Italo-Romance dialects)

Supplementary lectures will be suggested for parts II-VI, part of which (representing at least two of the topics covered) should be chosen by students in preparation for the exam.