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) 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 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).

Lectures, using audiovisual materials. Activation of the DIR service. Exercises marked by the lecturer, compulsory supervised research.
Lectures supported by audiovisual materials (lecture-based teaching: approximately 75%). Interaction between students and the lecturer, in-class marking of exercises (interactive teaching: approximately 25%). The course’s DIR page features exercises to be completed independently, as well as supplementary and in-depth teaching materials, which form an essential complement to the activities carried out in class.

The DIR service will provide a detailed course programme, details of the written examination, instructions for the compulsory individual research project, sample examination papers, exercise sheets, marked answers, teaching materials, articles to read, a weekly timetable of lessons, reports and film clips to watch. 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 examination consists of a 90-point test (marks are awarded out of 30). Duration of the examination: 3 hours. The first half of the test consists of 60 multiple-choice and open-ended questions focusing on the vocabulary and morphosyntax of contemporary colloquial and slang language. 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 colloquial French (known as ‘non-conventional’) by comparing the models dictated by the standard language with the diversity of linguistic expressions found in metropolitan France, at the morphosyntactic, phonological and, above all, lexical levels. Following an introduction to the concept of linguistic variation, the following phenomena will be presented: truncation (apocope, apheresis); abbreviations and acronyms; argot (from both a diachronic and synchronic perspective); ‘branché’ French; the youth language of the banlieues (FCC, verlan, veul); and the much-debated ‘franglais’. These topics will all serve as starting points for the immediate application of the knowledge and methodology acquired by the learner. The theoretical approach is consistently complemented by examples of the phenomena under consideration drawn from a variety of corpora (excerpts from novels, comic strips, cartoons, advertising slogans, extracts from French films, and lyrics by contemporary singer-songwriters such as 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 ability can be assessed throughout the course, during individual exercises and tasks, as well as in the final written examination.