Ateneo - UPO

Introduction to Historical Linguistics.

1. E. Magni (2014). Linguistica Storica. Bologna: Patron.
2. F. Fanciullo (2007). Introduzione alla linguistica storica. Bologna: Il Mulino (ONLY chapters 1, 6 and 7); 3. M. Napoli (2019). Linguistica diacronica. La prospettiva tipologica. Roma: Carocci (ONLY chapter 1).
4. Any other content that will be uploaded on the platform DIR during the year (including the slides used during the lessons).

The main goal of this course is to provide students with knowledge of the fundamental concepts of Historical Linguistics (including the history of the discipline) and the essential theoretical and practical tools to understand the phenomenon of linguistic variation from a diachronic perspective. Attention will be particularly focused on the different types of linguistic change and the fundamental mechanisms that operate in the evolution of languages. General mechanisms of change will be illustrated with particular (but not exclusive) reference to Indo-European languages. A second, more advanced objective is the development of students' ability to apply the theoretical concepts learned during teaching to the description and interpretation, from a diachronic perspective, of linguistic change phenomena drawn from different languages (not only Italian) with a good level of autonomy.

No specific prerequisites are required, but it would certainly be useful for students to have acquired the basic concepts of General linguistics before undertaking this course.

The course includes both lectures and interactive classes where students are actively involved in (i) applying the comparative method to compare linguistic data from different languages and (ii) analyzing and understanding various cases of linguistic change (with particular focus on changes occurred in Indo-European languages).

Additional readings (not obligatory for the exam) and exercise materials will be recommended or provided during the classes.

Oral exam, lasting approximately 30 minutes. During the exam, students will be asked questions to assess the level of knowledge achieved regarding the course objectives and expected learning outcomes. The exam will thus include:

1. Questions on the fundamental theoretical and methodological aspects of Historical Linguistics (e.g., the comparative method, branches of the Indo-European family, fundamental mechanisms of linguistic change, etc.) and the history of the discipline;
2. At least one question on linguistic typology;
3. Discussion of at least one specific case of linguistic change, which students will need to discuss with examples of their choice.

During the exam, students must also demonstrate an adequate command of the scientific terminology specific to the discipline.

The content of the lessons will cover the following topics:
- Definition of the field of Historical linguistics, history of the discipline, and introduction to fundamental concepts.
- The comparative method and the genealogical classification of languages;
- The reconstruction of the Indo-European language and the Indo-Europeans
- Typological classification of languages;
- Phonetic and phonological change;
- Morphological change;
- Syntactic change;
- Semantic change;
- Typology and linguistic change;
- Causes and general trends of linguistic change.

To achieve a basic level of knowledge and skills, students are expected to demonstrate:

- Knowledge of the fundamental theoretical and methodological principles of Historical linguistics;
- Understanding of the basic concepts of linguistic typology and its relevance to Historical linguistics;
- Familiarity with the main models of language classification based on genealogical and typological criteria;
- Knowledge of the main types of linguistic change and of the fundamental mechanisms operating diachronically;
- Ability to classify languages spoken today in Europe (both Indo-European and non-Indo-European) from a genealogical perspective;
- Ability to apply acquired knowledge to the analysis of a specific case of linguistic change;
- Proficiency in using the basic technical vocabulary of the discipline in a fairly correct way.

To achieve an advanced level, students must demonstrate:

- In-depth knowledge of the fundamental theoretical and methodological principles of Historical linguistics covered during the course and in the assigned study materials;
- Full understanding of the concepts of linguistic typology presented in the course and of their relevance to Historical linguistics;
- Accurate knowledge of the main models of language classification based on genealogical and typological criteria;
- Detailed and comprehensive understanding of the main types of linguistic change and of the fundamental mechanisms operating diachronically;
- Full ability to classify languages spoken today in Europe (both Indo-European and non-Indo-European) from a genealogical perspective;
- Ability to apply acquired knowledge to the analysis of a specific case of linguistic change, demonstrating appropriate autonomy;
- Proficiency in using the technical vocabulary of the discipline accurately and appropriately.