Ateneo - UPO

Contemporary colloquial French

N. Amstrong, Social and Stylistic variation in Spoken French, Amsterdam, Benjamins, 2001. A. Lodge, A sociolinguistic History of Parisian French, Cambridge University Press, 2004.

The course aims to i) strengthen linguistic competence (from level B2 to level C1) and metalinguistic competence, with a particular focus on the concept of linguistic variation, and in particular diastratic and generational variation, through the analysis of various corpora; ii) develop greater awareness of linguistic variation in its sociolinguistic implications, as well as good critical skills in addressing the concept of internal multilingualism within the French language. The objectives are as follows: • knowledge and understanding (measurable in ongoing exercises and in the final written test) 1. Know and understand the concept of linguistic variation and its different forms, and be able to analyse it in various communication situations. 2. Know and understand the morphosyntactic and lexical phenomena associated with the informal register in contemporary French. 3. Be aware of the mechanisms involved in the creation of lexical and semantic neologisms. 4. Understand the nuances and motivations behind the use of contemporary colloquial French. 5. Reflect on the concept of polysemy in a context of diastratic variation and be able to understand the humour arising from a change in linguistic register. • Ability to apply knowledge and understanding (measured in ongoing exercises and in the final written exam) 1. Identify and analyse linguistic registers in texts/media of various kinds (written and oral: comic strips, novels, songs, film scripts, advertising slogans, spontaneous dialogues). 2. Identify and classify the linguistic phenomena analysed during the course into the correct descriptive category in various types of corpora. 3. Define these phenomena and provide relevant examples. • Expression of judgements: (measurable in ongoing exercises and in the final oral exam) 1. Be able to compare manifestations of diastratic variation in French and Italian. 2. Draw personal conclusions about contemporary colloquial French and its motivations. • Communication skills: (measurable in ongoing exercises and in the final written exam) 1. Use the acquired terminology appropriately to describe the phenomena to be analysed. 2. Present the linguistic and sociolinguistic phenomena analysed during the course in a critical and concise manner. • Study skills: (assessable at all stages of learning assessment). 1. Read the non-fiction texts indicated during the course profitably. 2. Use DIR independently and consistently. 3. Complete the weekly exercises. 4. Complete the compulsory research required to access the written exam (independently examine and analyse a written corpus consisting of a copy of the weekly magazine l'Obs, with the help of the theoretical tools acquired during the course and reference dictionaries) and submit it to the teacher one week before the written exam.

For students enrolled in the Modern Foreign Languages degree programme (DISUM - UPO): have passed the integrated French Language II module corresponding to language proficiency level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). For students from other degree programmes: have achieved level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Seminars with audio-visual aids. Activation of DIR. Exercises corrected by the teacher, compulsory monitored research.

The DIR service will provide detailed programs, instructions for the obligatory work, examples of written tests, and exercise sheets. Students with disabilities or with Specific Learning Disorders (DSA) or Special Educational Needs (BES) may request specific services and tools dedicated to them by contacting the Career Development and Coordination Staff and Student Services and consulting the dedicated page on the University website: https://uniupo.it/it/servizi/servizi-studenti-disabili-e-dsa Students with disabilities, DSA, BES, once they have contacted the University Staff, may contact the teacher in charge of the course in relation to the declination of the examination methods, with regard to teaching aspects.

The written exam consists of a 90-point test (the mark is expressed in thirtieths). Duration of the exam: 3 hours. The first half of the test consists of 60 closed and open questions focusing on colloquial/slang vocabulary. The second half is divided into two parts: the first requires the analysis of 15 significant occurrences to be found in some corpora analysed during the course (2 points for each question), while the second consists of 3 questions (5 points out of 60 for each question) that require open-ended answers and focus on theoretical/notional concepts covered during the course. The first half of the exam allows for the assessment of the following objectives: knowledge and understanding: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5; ability to apply knowledge and understanding: 1, 2, 3. The second part of the test assesses the achievement of the following objectives: knowledge and understanding: 4; expression of judgements: 1, 2; communication skills: 1, 2; study skills: 1,4. A minimum score of 18/30 is required to pass the written test. The assessment of the last quarter of the test will take into account the consistency of the answer, critical reworking, clarity of presentation, ability to summarise, and linguistic accuracy. A mark of 30 with honours rewards excellent competence in all the areas identified. The results of the written test will be communicated via the “Esse3 – Servizi informatici” IT platform. An individual assignment will be assigned during the course (the analysis of a paper copy of the weekly magazine L'Obs, different for each student, provided by the teacher) to be handed in at least one week before the written test. Detailed information on the assessment methods, as well as examples of written tests with corrections, will be available on DIR. Communication of assessments: the mark for the written test will be communicated via the ‘Esse3 - Servizi informatici’ IT platform. The final mark for French Linguistics A, for students enrolled in the Bachelor's Degree in Modern Foreign Languages, constitutes the partial mark for the integrated French Language III exam.

The course aims to illustrate the various manifestations of so-called ‘non-conventional’ French by comparing the models imposed by the norm and the multiplicity of linguistic realisations in metropolitan France, at the morphosyntactic, phonological and, above all, lexical levels. After an introduction to the concept of linguistic variation, the following phenomena will be presented: truncation (apocope, apheresis), acronyms and abbreviations, argot (both diachronic and synchronic perspectives), branché French, the youth language of the banlieues (FCC, verlan, veul), and the controversial franglais. These topics will all provide opportunities for immediate application of the knowledge and methodology acquired by the learner. The theoretical course is always accompanied by illustrations of the phenomena examined in various types of corpora (excerpts from novels, comics, cartoons, advertising slogans, excerpts from contemporary French films, lyrics by contemporary singer-songwriters (Stromaé, Grand corps malade, Bigflo & Oli, etc.).

• Knowledge and understanding: Understand the concept of linguistic variation and be able to analyse it in various corpora and communication situations. Understand the morphosyntactic and lexical phenomena inherent in the informal register of contemporary French. Reflect on the phenomenon of lexical and semantic neologisms. Have a clear picture of contemporary colloquial French in its many forms. • Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: Identify the various linguistic registers; identify and place the linguistic phenomena analysed during the course in the correct descriptive typology, in an oral or written corpus; define these phenomena and provide relevant examples. • Expression of judgements: Compare diastratic variation in French and Italian. Draw personal conclusions about contemporary colloquial French. • Communication skills: Use the acquired terminology appropriately to describe the phenomena to be analysed. Present a brief summary of the sociolinguistic phenomena analysed during the course (measurable in the last part of the written test). • Study skills: Read theoretical texts profitably (see bibliography). Use DIR independently and consistently. Complete the weekly exercises and the compulsory research for the final exam (independently examine and analyse a written corpus consisting of a copy of the weekly magazine l'Obs, with the help of the theoretical tools acquired during the course and consultation of online dictionaries). This skill can be measured throughout the course, in the completion of individual exercises, and in the final written exam.