German Syntax: An Introduction
The aim of the course is to provide students with a expert of a number of aspects of German linguistics, enabling them also to think critically about and describe the metalinguistic factors at play in language use
Language classes aim to improve students’ linguistic competence
- learning target of the class is to reach the B1 level described in the guidelines of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment (CEFR) in German language
- to know the structure German sentences and syntactic phrases
- to be able to operate syntactic analysis of simple and complex paratactic and hypotactic sentence constructions
- acquisition of knowledge about the main syntactical theories
- to have competence in analyzing syntactical structures taking into consideration contrastive aspects between German and Italian language
Students must demonstrate a A2 level of language proficiency according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR)
The theory lectures (36 lessons, 2nd semester) will be accompanied during the whole academic year by practical language exercises (160 lessons, yearlong). Time schedules, programs, instructors and auditoriums of the language exercises will be published in Aulaweb and will be announced on the websites of the single instructors in September 2024. The language exercises include yearlong lessons in translation German-Italian / Italian-German (40 lessons).
Lectures accompanied by language exercises. The theory lectures and the practical language exercises will take place in form of traditional classroom teaching.
In the theory class students will familiarize with fundamental knowledge about syntax of the German language. During a general survey about the most important aspects of the structure of the German sentence special issues of the German sentence will be taken in consideration taking into account the structure of the Italian syntax. Durin the class the linguistic terminology will be considered also in German language and furthermore contrastive issues aiming on translation from German into Italian language and vice versa will be taken in consideration.
The practical language exercises which include translation exercises from Italian to German language and vice versa will bring the students from the A2 level to the B1 level according to the guidelines of the Common European Framework of Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment (CEF), taking in account the four essential abilities (listening, reading, speaking, writing), as well as the scheduled grammar knowledge.
The program of the course is valid until February 2026 in accordance with the departmental regulation.
Di Meola, Claudio: La linguistica tedesca, Roma: Bulzoni, 2014.
Pittner, Karin / Bermann, Judith: Deutsche Syntax. Ein Arbeitsbuch, Tübingen: Gunter Narr, 2004.
Tomaselli, Alessandra: Introduzione alla sintassi del tedesco, Bari: Edizioni B.A. Graphis, 2004.
Further bibliographical and didactic material will be provided during the semester (Aulaweb).
Applied module
Will be communicated at the beginning of the lessons by the lecturers and in Aulaweb.
ARIANNA AMATRUDA (President)
JOACHIM HANS BERND GERDES
SIMONA LEONARDI (Substitute)
Theory module: 36 h, 2nd term, start February, 2025
Language learning courses: 1st & 2nd term
GERMAN LANGUAGE AND TRANSLATION II
Target group
The exam is obligatory for students in the second year of the course of studies in Theories and techniques of language mediation.
Credits
The total exam consisting in theory class and language exercises is equivalent to 12 credit points.
Languages
Lessons will be held in Italian and German language.
Students with certifications:
Students with certification of learning or other disabilities should inform the instructor at the beginning of the course in order to make arrangements for possible accommodations.
