The course is aimed at acquiring basic theoretical and methodological principles of linguistics. In particular, the course aims to develop the conceptual apparatus needed to describe the structure and functioning of natural languages and acquire relevant technical terminology. The specific learning objectives are:

- knowledge of how to identify the properties that differentiate human spoken language from other human and animal communication systems;

- knowledge of how to link linguistic phenomena to their relevant analytic levels: phonetic-phonological, morphological, syntactic, semantic, pragmatic;

- developing a general understanding of the scope and limits of cross-linguistic variation and  the mechanisms that regulate language change in time and space.

1. General characteristics of human language and speech. The linguistic sign and arbitrariness. Iconicity, transparency, and productivity of forms and processes.

2. Speech production and perception. The vocal tract. The auditory system (short notes). Phonetic and phonological characteristics of Italian. Coarticulation, allophony, phoneme.

3. The structure of words. The notions of word and morpheme; types of morphemes; morphological typology. Inflexion, derivation, composition (with reference mainly to Italian).

4. The structure of sentences. Grammatical functions and thematic roles, systems of case alignment. The expression of focus between syntax and pragmatics.

No bridging courses.

knowledge and understanding: Knowledge of the basic theoretical and methodological assumptions used in linguistic analysis; this knowledge will be developed through (i) the recognition of the fundamental units of analysis that are relevant to different linguistic phenomena, (ii) a general understanding of the parameters along which cross-linguistic variation applies.

applying knowledge and understanding: Problem-solving skills: extracting simple generalisations from a group of heterogeneous linguistic data; making explanatory hypotheses in relation to a given linguistic phenomenon; and identifying the scientifically correct procedure to verify them. 

making judgments: Knowing how to critically reflect on data from ancient and modern languages, questioning commonplaces about language and determining whether or not they have scientific validity.

communication: Mastery of the expressive means of the language sciences for understanding linguistic textbooks and elaborating very short argumentative texts on linguistic topics.

lifelong learning skills: A combination of technical, disciplinary information and capacities of formal reasoning that allow (i) to analyse linguistic data from written and spoken sources, from ancient as well as modern languages, in a critical and independent way; (ii) to develop soft skills in the domain of historical heritage (languages and literature in particular) as well as in the domains of socio-pedagogical and psychological analysis of language learning processes and the dynamics of communication.

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

Exercises and self-assessment activities.

Teaching

Lectures; classroom exercises. Given the technicality of many of the covered topics, the lessons will be structured in a public discussion phase of linguistic examples from Italian and other languages followed by a  systematic explanation of the main theoretical and empirical points. For the same reasons, group exercises will be performed during the lessons, first and foremost, to bring out any doubts or problems needing further explanation, and, secondarily, to simulate the final exam. 

Innovative teaching methods

Self-assessment exercises; group seminars.

Attendance

Detailed knowledge of Italian grammar and Latin is a prerequisite for the educational success of this course.

Course books

The following textbooks are to be considered as further instruments of individual reflection and systematisation of notions and problems that are dealt with during the classes; they do NOT replace the study of the supplementary materials that are provided through the Moodle platform (PPT presentation used by the teacher during the classes)

1) G.F. Arcodia & A. Panunzi (a cura di) (2023) Linguistica. Introduzione alle scienze del Linguaggio, Pearson. Following sections only: Chapter 1, sections 1.1 e 1.2.; Chapter 3 with the exception of section 3.7; Chapter 4, sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.5, 4.6; Chapter 5, p. 145 "Ruoli semantici" up to p. 149; section 5.4; Chapter 8, section 8.3 up to p. 247 (end of page); Chapter 9, section 9.12.

2) Masini & Grandi (cur.) (2017) Tutto ciò che hai sempre voluto sapere sul linguaggio e sulle lingue, Caissa Italia: pages 11-20, 41-60, 97-104.

Assessment

There will be a written test lasting about half an hour. This test includes structured tests (to assess declarative knowledge and the general understanding of concepts) and semi-structured and unstructured tests (open procedural tasks) to assess the ability to reproduce the procedures of linguistic analysis proposed in the classroom. Semi- and non-structured tests also verify the student's ability to coordinate different notions and analytical skills necessary to solve simple problems from unseen linguistic data. The learning outcomes will then be measured by attributing an overall judgment that considers not only the mastery of the topics covered and the ability to recall or recognise them but also the ability to apply the procedures, elaborate ideas, and original solutions in relation to natural linguistic phenomena. If requested by the student, a short oral interview will also be possible, looking through the results of the written test, commenting on eventual errors, motivating the choices made, completing missing parts, etc.

The final score, out of thirty, considers all the aspects above. Tests in which the students will show - in addition to basic declarative knowledge and a general understanding of concepts - the ability to apply the correct methodology to the analysis of new linguistic data and the capacity to solve general linguistic problems will obtain an evaluation of excellence. Tests in which the students only show basic declarative knowledge and a general understanding of concepts will obtain a pass mark.

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.

Teaching

Individual study. Please note that the course's programme applies to attending and non-attending students.

Attendance

See above the section for attending students.

Course books

See above the section for attending students.

Assessment

See above the section for attending students.

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.

In compliance with the University guidelines, the course takes place face-to-face. Attendance and active participation is strongly recommended. Using the Moodle environment is essential for sharing information and learning materials, as well as for ongoing exercises and other forms of self-assessment.

Some lessons by guest teachers or the course teacher may be in English.

Foreign students (Erasmus+ or other exchange programmes) can contact the teacher if they prefer English lessons.

The exams with the program indicated on this page will be possible until the last session of the 2024/2025 academic year (January/February 2026). After that, the students must refer to the program provided for the following academic years.