The curse is dedicated to classical students and focuses on linguistic reconstruction of Proto-Indo-European and prohistory of Classical Languages.
Students will need to learn the fundamentals of historical linguistics, including Indo-European glottology and the comparative-reconstructive method, which was developed in Germany in the second half of the nineteenth century. Starting with a basic comparison of Greek, Latin, Germanic languages, and Sanskrit, they will be able to understand the main phonetic laws and reconstruct the protoforms of the basic Indo-European lexicon. According to the parameters established by twentieth-century sociolinguistic research, they will identify the main causes of linguistic change. They will be able to make phonetic, morphological, syntactic, and lexical comments on texts written in ancient Indo-European languages. They'll have to learn and master the Italian language's phonetic transcription.
The course enables students:
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.
A good knowledge of Italian, Greek and Latin.
Lectures, distribution of materials at lectures in class and via Aulaweb, phonetical exercises, dictation in Ancient Greek.
Class will be held face-to-face.
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.
Programme for students taking the course for 9 cfu
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
Reconstruction of Indo-European. The phonological system of Indo-European reconstructed. Elements of Indo-European morphology and syntax. Reading of texts with glottological comment from more languages.
See the Italian part.
Ricevimento: Tuesday, 10-11 or on appointment. Istituto di Glottologia, Balbi 4, third floor.
ROSA RONZITTI (President)
GUIDO GIOVANNI BORGHI
RITA CAPRINI (Substitute)
IRENE DE FELICE (Substitute)
MATTEO MACCIÒ (Substitute)
16th October 2023
22nd February 2024
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.
