OVERVIEW

This course provides students with a foundation in the scientific study of human language and natural languages. After an introduction to the properties of human language, we will analyse the main levels of linguistic description: phonetic and phonological, morphological, syntactic, and semantic. Moreover, we will deal with the classification of the languages of the world based on genealogical and typological criteria, and with basic notions of historical linguistics, including the discussion of cases of language change. 

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

This course will provide students with basic theoretical and methodological notions for the description and interpretation of the linguistic data and phenomena they will deal with in the course of their studies. More specifically, the course aims to: 1) familiarize students with key concepts in linguistics (e.g. language, languages, linguistic sign), 2) provide the conceptual and terminological means needed to study language at the various levels of linguistic analysis (phonetics and phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics), 3) introduce basic notions concerning language change and the genealogical and typological classification of world languages. 

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this course, the student will know all main levels of linguistic analysis, namely phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, some basic notions of pragmatics, lexicon, and their possible interrelations from a synchronic and diachronic perspective. The student will have gained some basic knowledge about different theoretical frameworks and their epistemological basis. 

At the end of this course, the student will:

• Gain an understanding of the main characterizing properties of human language and of natural languages.
• Gain the essential knowledge needed to analyse languages at the phonetic, phonological, morphological, syntactic and semantic level, and master the appropriate terminology. Moreover, the student will be able to apply the acquired knowledge to the analysis of linguistic data.
• Know the main ways in which languages can be classified.
• Know the main linguistic families and subfamilies, especially those of the of the Indo-European family (genealogical classification)
• Know the main criteria that are used to classify languages based on structural resemblances and differences (typological classification).
• Know introductory notions of historical linguistics, especially those discussed during the course. Moreover, the student will be able to apply the acquired knowledge to the analysis of linguistic data, commenting cases of language change based on those discussed during the classes.
• Be acquainted with the main subdisciplines of linguistics, in particular with those introduced and discussed during the course.

PREREQUISITES

This is an introductory course: no prior knowledge of linguistics is therefore expected from students.

TEACHING METHODS

The course will be taught in presential mode.

This course will include lectures as well as exercises on the most technical aspects of the discipline (e.g. phonetic transcription, morphological and syntactic analysis).

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The first part of the course (Prof. Fedriani) will deal with the following topics:

• The notions of “language” and “linguistic sign”.
• Phonetics and phonology (linguistic sounds): articulatory phonetics, phonetic and phonematic transcription; the notions of phoneme, allophone, and minimal pair
• Morphology (words and their internal structure): the notions of word, morpheme, allomorph; morphological processes of derivation and composition; morphological analysis of words
• Languages of the world: genealogical classification
• An introduction to Historical linguistics, with examples of language change from Indo-European languages.

The second part of the course (Prof. Strik Lievers) will deal with the following topics:

• Syntax: structure of phrases and sentences
• Linguistic diversity and variation: linguistic typology, linguistic contact, sociolinguistics, sign languages.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Berruto, G. e Cerruti, M. (2017). La linguistica. Un corso introduttivo. Torino: UTET (except chapter 5 and 8).

Additional readings and learning materials will be presented during the classes and made available to the students.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

FRANCESCA STRIK LIEVERS (President)

IRENE DE FELICE

CHIARA FEDRIANI (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Classes will start on Wednesday, 21 February 2024, with the following schedule:

- Wednesdays 12-14 Aula Magna, Polo Didattico 

Class schedule

GENERAL LINGUISTICS

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Written test. The exam will include:

1)Exercises (phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax) (in October and November, space is dedicated to these exercises; there will also be a mock test at the end of the course that will further clarify the structure of the test, the assessment criteria and the marks assigned to each exercise and question

2) A classification exercise on the languages of Europe

3) Open questions to verify knowledge of the general and historical linguistic topics addressed during classes and in the textbooks. 

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The exam assesses the level of theoretical knowledge achieved by the student, and the ability to apply it to the analysis of the linguistic data.

The evaluation is based on the correct completion of the exercises and, especially as concerns open questions, on expressive clarity and mastery of the linguistic terminology.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students with certified special educational needs are advised to contact the lecturer at the beginning of the course.