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, phonology and prosody 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 words. 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 100 classroom lessons. 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.

At the end of the course, students will be able to correctly produce, understand and pronounce simple sentences in Swedish on everyday topics.

PREREQUISITES

Practical-theoretical knowledge of the Italian language and of one foreign language.

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 classroom lessons (5 hours a week over 20 weeks, i.e. 10 weeks per semester).
Attendance is not compulsory but strongly recommended.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

"Phonetics, phonology and prosody 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 "Swedish Phonetics, phonology and prosody" (30 classroom lessons) consists of an introduction to the phonetics, phonology and prosody of Swedish, followed by a few notes on the morphological structures of the Swedish words. More specifically: the Scandinavian languages, Swedish vowels and consonants, phonological rules and processes, phonotactics and syllables, accent, stress and tone, orthography, lexical prosody, derivation, composition, rhythm and intonation.
The practical module is made up of 100 classroom lessons on the following grammatical topics: noun and adjective inflection, verb conjugation, personal, demonstrative and possessive pronouns, numerals, main and simple clauses, noun clauses, relative and objective clauses, word order, basic vocabulary and phraseology.

There is no separate program for non-attending students.

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructors and with Prof. Sara Dickinson (sara.dickinson@unige.it), the Department's disability liaison.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Lecture notes for the theoretical module distributed during the lessons and available on Teams in the second semester. More information will be provided during the lessons.
For Swedish language practice: Anna Brännström and others: "Lagom Lätt. Corso di lingua svedese" (2nd ed. 2022) and other materials distributed during the lessons.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Linguistics module in the second semester (February-May), practical module in the first and second semester (October-May).
Language practice lessons: to be defined.
Linguistics module lessons: to be defined.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

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.
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 any Swedish word in the International phonetic alphabet, 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.