OVERVIEW

German Syntax an Semantics: An Introduction

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of the course is to provide students with an overview of several aspects of German linguistics, enabling them to think critically about and describe the metalinguistic factors involved in language use.

Language classes aim to improve students’ linguistic competence

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Learning target of the class is

- to reach the B1 level described in the guidelines of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

- to know the structure of German sentences

- 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

- basic knowledge of German semantics

PREREQUISITES

Students must demonstrate a A2 level of language proficiency according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR)

TEACHING METHODS

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 2025. 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.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

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, 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 2027 in accordance with the departmental regulation.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Theory Class

Busse, Dietrich: Semantik, Stuttgart: Fink/UTB, 2009.

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.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Theory module: 36 h, 2nd term, start February, 2026

Language learning courses: 1st & 2nd term, start September, 2025

Class schedule

GERMAN LANGUAGE AND TRANSLATION II

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The theory lessons will be concluded by a written exam in which the arguments treated during the class will be asked about. The languages classes will be completed by oral exams. During the written exam at the end of the theory class the students have to provide evidence of their profound knowledge of the arguments dealt with during the lessons, the designed texts and the materials published in Aulaweb.

Inscription for the exam of the theory class on the homepage of the University of Genoa (www.unige.it) at the link „servizi online per gli studenti“.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

In the written exam of the theory class students will give evidence of their knowledge of the basics of German syntax and of the general characteristics of the structure of the lexis of German language in order to be able to analyze parts of speech and the structure of sentences and syntagmata as well as to recognize semantic relationships between words and general aspects of German vocabulary. Assessment criteria are the correctness and completeness of the answers as well as the correct usage of linguistic terminology both in German and in English.

The oral exams of the language exercises are designated to give proof of the knowledge of German language on B1 level regarding reading comprehension and competence in spontaneous translation, as well as the familiarity with basic grammar. Assessment criteria are grammatical correctness, the ability to express oneself appropriately as well as to understand an oral discourse both globally and in detail. The oral exam is meant to examine the competence to understand the foreign language appropriately in a dialogue. Assessment criteria are the correct usage and interpretation of grammatical rules and vocabulary as far as requested for attaining the B1 level.

FURTHER INFORMATION

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.