Ateneo - UPO

Introduction to General Linguistics.

(1) Berruto Gaetano and 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 (1.1) the properties of human language and (1.2) the methodologies used to describe and analyze linguistic structures at different levels (mainly, phonetic-phonological, morphological, semantic, pragmatic and syntactic).
A second, more advanced aim is the development of a certain degree of autonomy in evaluating linguistic data, in order to: (2.1) interpret and compare such data from a synchronic perspective, and (2.2) apply the theoretical concepts learned to reasoning about material from languages belonging to different families.

The 6 credits to be earned are allocated as follows for attending students:
1.5 credits of direct and interactive teaching;
4.5 credits of independent study.

Students are not required to attend preliminary courses. To take the course, a good high-school level knowledge of Italian grammar is sufficient.

Lectures and “Web didactic” (DIR). Interactive teaching is also included during the course. Students will be required: (i) to participate in discussions about linguistic data; (ii) 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 and 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 open-ended questions and multiple-choice 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.

Each answer to open-ended questions is worth 3 or 4 points; each answer to multiple-choice questions is worth 1 point. The exam will be passed successfully if the final grade is equal to or higher than 18/30. Honours (cum laude) will be awarded based on an assessment of (i) accuracy and insight in answering; (ii) use of appropriate scientific terminology.

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) the basic principles operating in the formation and functioning of linguistic structures and the methods for their analysis across various domains, i.e. 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:

To be able, at a basic level, (i) to use IPA phonetic transcription applying it to Italian; (ii) to apply parsing rules in morphological analysis of Italian words; (iii) to analyze Italian sentences from a syntactic point of view through tree diagrams; (iv) to project simple teaching activities concerning General Linguistics.

Autonomy of judgment:
To demonstrate an initial level of autonomy in making critical judgments on synchronic linguistic data.

Communicative skills:
To be able to use appropriate scientific terminology that should be learned through the lessons and suggested manuals.

Learning ability:
To combine the study of theoretical notions and methodologies with 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:
To demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the principles, methods, and content listed above in a detailed and in-depth manner.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding:
To demonstrate to be able (i) to apply knowledge and understanding (as described above) in depth and mainly to be able (ii) to confidently identify the principles operating in the formation and functioning of linguistic structures of various kinds (from the phoneme to the sentence) and the methods for analysing them.

Autonomy of judgment:
To demonstrate full autonomy in making critical judgments on synchronic linguistic data, and be able to thoroughly evaluate and compare linguistic structures across the various domains of the discipline.

Communicative skills:
To communicate exclusively using specific scientific terminology, in a fully coherent and appropriate manner.

Learning ability:
To combine the theoretical learning of concepts and methodologies with the direct observation of empirical data drawn from various languages, demonstrating a high level of applied competence.