The main aim of this course is an introduction to General linguistics in its various aspects; therefore we will provide students with the basic concepts of phonetics and phonology, morphology and syntax in a comparative perspective, i.e. by comparing the Italian and English data with those of the most well-known foreign languages. We will also discuss phenomena related to the acquisition of mother tongue (L1) and foreign languages (L2).

1 Introduction

1.1. What is linguistics

1.2. Properties of natural languages

1.3. L1 acquisition

1.4. Principles and parameters

1.5. L2 acquisition

2 Phonetics and phonology

2.1. Classification of sounds

2.2. Sounds and phonemes, allophones, minimal pairs

2.3. Some phonological rules

2.4. The syllable

3 Morphology

3.1. Root and inflection

3.2. Derivation

3.3. Composition

4 Italian and English Syntax

4.1. Phrases; tests of constituency

4.2. The structure of phrases; X-bar theory

4.3. Passive, subordinate and interrogative clauses

5. Bilingualism and code-switching

At the end of the course the student should have achieved a good skill in the analysis of the Italian language in its various aspects (phonology, morphology, syntax) at a theoretical level.

S/he should also  be able to compare the formal aspects of Italian with those of the foreign languages studied, in order to  to focus on similarities and differences.

The student should also be able to apply the theoretical knowledge acquired to the study of foreign languages, so that s/he can be facilitated in her/his learning path.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Teaching

Frontal classes

Course books

Graffi, G. e Scalise, S. "Le lingue e il linguaggio", Il Mulino, Bologna (2002) [chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 11]

Cocchi, G. Basic English Syntax, FrancoAngeli, Milano, 2019

(alternatively: Donati C., La Sintassi, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2008)

Extra-material on:

The syllable

Bilingualism and code-switching

Assessment

Written test with open-ended questions

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Attendance

Students should contact the lecturer before the exam

Course books

Graffi, G. e Scalise, S. "Le lingue e il linguaggio", Il Mulino, Bologna (2002) [chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 11]

Cocchi, G. Basic English Syntax, FrancoAngeli, Milano, 2019

(alternatively: Donati C., La Sintassi, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2008)

Extra-material on:

The syllable

Bilingualism and code-switching

Assessment

Written test with open-ended questions

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.