The main aim of this course is an introduction to 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), as well as bilingualism and code-switching.

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

5.1. Code-switching

a) Knowledge and understanding: At the end of the course, students will have acquired the basic concepts of L1 acquisition, phonology, morphology and syntax. They will also have achieved a good competence in the formal analysis of the Italian language in its main aspects.

b) Applied knowledge and understanding: Students will be able to compare the formal aspects of Italian and the foreign languages they ??study, in order to be facilitated in their L2 learning process. They will also be able to apply the acquired formal skills to the study of mixed productions (code-switching).

c) Autonomy of judgment: Students should be able to reflect critically and independently on linguistic peculiarities characterizing Italian and other languages, and recognize the relevant grammatical categories for the explanation of the various linguistic phenomena.

d) Communication skills: Students will be required to master the linguistic means of expression and identify the effective communication strategies typical of multilingual speakers, such as mixed productions.

e) Ability to learn: Students will develop formal reasoning skills to correctly interpret linguistic productions in Italian and in the foreign languages studied.

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:

  L1 acquisition

  Bilingualism and code-switching

Assessment

Written test with 8 open-ended questions. Evaluation: up to 4 points for each answer. Points are assigned according to coherence and completeness of answer.

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 are advised to 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:

  L1 acquisition

  Bilingualism and code-switching

Assessment

Written test with 8 open-ended questions. Evaluation: up to 4 points for each answer. Points are assigned according to coherence and completeness of answer.

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.