Ateneo - UPO

Introduction to General Linguistics.

(1) Berruto Gaetano & Massimo Cerruti, La linguistica. Un corso introduttivo, UTET/De Agostini, Novara, 2022, III edition (with the exception of chapter 7); (2) Berruto Gaetano, Riflessioni sull’insegnamento della linguistica oggi, in A. Sansò (a cura di), Insegnare linguistica: basi epistemologiche, metodi, applicazioni, Atti del LIII Congresso della Società di Linguistica Italiana, Università dell’Insubria, 19-21 settembre 2019. Officina 21, Milano, 2020: pp. 13-29. (https://www.societadilinguisticaitaliana.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/002_Berruto_Atti_SLI_LIII_Insubria.pdf) Slides on DIR are part of the programme.

The first aim of this course is to provide an introduction to the study of General Linguistics, enabling students to understand the properties of human language and the methodologies used to describe and analyze linguistic structures at different levels (mainly, phonetic-phonological, morphological, semantic, pragmatic and syntactic). A further, more advanced, aim is to develop students’ ability to assess, compare and interpret linguistic material from a synchronic perspective, by applying abstract concepts to the empirical observation of data from languages belonging to different families.

Students are not required to attend preliminary courses. Basic scholastic knowledge of Italian grammar is the only prerequisite.

Lectures and “Web didactic” (DIR). Students will be required to participate actively in discussions about linguistic data and to solve exercises concerning: (a) phonetic transcription; (b) morphological parsing; (c) syntactic analysis through tree diagrams; (d) didactic teaching strategies.

Solving the exercises at the end of the chapters of the handbook is highly recommended (other exercises are available online). The following volumes of exercises may also be used for this purpose: Luraghi Silvia and Anna Thornton, Linguistica generale: esercitazioni e autoverifica, Carocci Editore, Roma, 2004; Castagneto Marina and Chiara Meluzzi, Eserciziario di Linguistica e Glottologia, Pearson, 2025 (online edition only). Students who feel the need for improving their knowledge of Italian language may use the following text, solving the exercises online: Trifone Pietro & Massimo Palermo, Grammatica italiana di base. IV edition with exercises, Zanichelli, Bologna, 2020. Students with physical disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

Learning will be assessed through written examination, measuring both knowledge of theoretical notions and ability to analyze and assess empirical data in different linguistic areas. The exam lasts 90 minutes and consists of 15 multiple-choice questions and open questions, corresponding to the following thematic sections: Sect. 1) = fundamental notions; Sect. 2 = phonetics, phonology, IPA transcription; Sect. 3 = morphology; Sect. 4 = semantics and pragmatics; Sect. 5 = syntax; Sect. 6 = didactic methodologies. The exam will be passed successfully if the final grade is equal to or higher than 18/30. Exams may be passed with a full grade (30/30) “cum laude” only on the basis of the two following criteria (applied to open questions): (i) accuracy and insight in answering; (ii) use of appropriate scientific terminology. If online examination is required, this will be oral, following the same criteria as written examination.

1. Introduction to General Linguistics. Discipline’s history and main theoretical approaches. 2. Properties of human language, methods of analysis and basic notions. 3. Phonetics and phonology. 4. IPA transcription. 5. Morphology: the notion of ‘word’; parsing rules in morphological analysis; derivational and inflectional morphology. 6. Syntactic analysis and principles of Generative Grammar. 7. Semantics and pragmatics. 8. Didactic methods for teaching General Linguistics. 9. Gender mainstreaming: Discursive injustices towards women in the language of the media.

In order to achieve a basic level of knowledge and skills students are required to show what follows: Knowledge and understanding: to show knowledge and understanding of (i) fundamental properties of human language; (ii) basic principles and methods for analyzing languages in various areas, namely, phonetics and phonology, morphology, semantics, pragmatics and syntax; (iii) discipline’s history and its main theoretical approaches at the most basic level; (iv) preliminary principles of linguistic comparison from a synchronic point of view; (v) the most important didactic methods for teaching General Linguistics. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: (i) to be able to use IPA phonetic transcription applying it to Italian; (ii) to be able to apply parsing rules in morphological analysis of Italian words; (iii) to be able to analyze Italian sentences from a syntactic point of view through tree diagrams (at a basic level); (iv) to be able to project simple teaching activities concerning General Linguistics. Autonomy of judgment: to make a judgment about synchronic linguistic data. Communicative skills: to use appropriate scientific terminology that should be learned through the lessons and suggested manuals. Learning ability: to join the study of theoretical notions and methodologies to the empirical observation of data taken from Italian (at a basic level at least). In order to achieve an advanced level, students are required to show what follows: Knowledge and understanding: (i) to show extensive knowledge and understanding of the principles, methods and notions listed above (not at a basic level). Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: (i) to be able to apply knowledge and understanding (as described above) in depth and mainly (ii) to be able to identify principles determining forms and functions of diverse linguistic structures (from the phoneme to the sentence). Autonomy of judgment: to achieve detailed assessment of synchronic linguistic data and to compare linguistic structures with regard to the different domains of the discipline. Communicative skills: to make an exclusive and consistent use of appropriate scientific terminology. Learning ability: to join the study of theoretical notions and methodologies to the empirical observation of data taken from different languages.