ITALIAN SIGN LANGUAGE
- Academic year
- 2019/2020 Syllabus of previous years
- Official course title
- LINGUA DEI SEGNI ITALIANA
- Course code
- LM0016 (AF:309427 AR:167895)
- Modality
- On campus classes
- ECTS credits
- 6
- Degree level
- Master's Degree Programme (DM270)
- Educational sector code
- L-LIN/01
- Period
- 1st Semester
- Course year
- 1
- Where
- VENEZIA
- Moodle
- Go to Moodle page
Contribution of the course to the overall degree programme goals
The main aims of the course are: the acquisition of advanced communicative skills in LIS, the in-depth analysis of pragmatic and discourse phenomena in LIS, and the development of basic translation strategies from LIS to Italian and vice versa.
Expected learning outcomes
- understanding complex texts in LIS of different types and genres;
- knowledge of the lexical, grammatical, pragmatic, and textual elements that can be used to analyze advanced texts in LIS;
- knowledge of the different dimensions of linguistic variation characterizing LIS.
2. Applying knowledge and understanding:
- implementation of the acquired knowledge to understand and analyze complex texts in LIS of different types and registers;
- use of the correct terminology in the description of linguistic phenomena in LIS;
- comparison of linguistic structures of LIS and Italian to be able to plan adequate translation strategies.
3. Making judgements:
- making judgments on the well-formedness of linguistic data on the basis of metalinguistic considerations;
- evaluation of different translation strategies considering the communicative intent and analyzing LIS and Italian structures cross-linguistically;
- capacity to find bibliographical references autonomously.
4. Communication:
- clear, accurate, and fluent interaction in LIS in advanced communicative contexts;
- description of linguistic analyses of texts in LIS and cross-linguistic comparisons (LIS/Italian) by means of argumentative strategies and correct terminology;
- interaction with peers, professor and tutor in a critical and respectful way.
5. Learning skills:
- implementation of cross-linguistic comparisons and translation techniques;
- use of technological tools to realize translations from and to LIS and prepare audiovisual materials in an accessible format;
- selection of bibliographical references and electronic resources in the field of LIS linguistics.
Pre-requirements
No pre-requirement is required for the beginner-level course.
The students attending the advanced-level course are required to have attended a three-year course in LIS.
Contents
The class is split into two groups based on competence: beginning students (those who are learning LIS for the first time) and advanced students (those who have already attended a three-year course in LIS). Beginning students must attend the language practice course as well as the theoretical module included in the BA course of LIS 1 (link: https://www.unive.it/data/insegnamento/310542 ). Advanced students are referred to the language practice course and the theoretical module presented in this webpage.
Theoretical module (for advanced students):
The module consists of two parts:
1) description of pragmatic and discourse phenomena of LIS: referentiality and reference chains, discourse analysis, mechanisms of textual cohesion and coherence, use of space at discourse level, figurative language, linguistic registers, communicative interaction;
2) cross-linguistic comparison between LIS and Italian and translation strategies. Students will learn basic translation techniques: e.g. technical aspects and accessibility, comparison between sequential and simultaneous linguistic strategies, lexical and syntactic ambiguity, approaches to translation (domestication/foreignization), development of paraphrasing skills and analysis of translation strategies.
Language practice (for advanced students):
The native-signing tutor will present exercises aimed at developing the following language skills:
- LIS poetry: theory and techniques;
- improvement of prosodic competence and facial expressions;
- technical glossary in LIS.
Referral texts
- notes of the lectures and study material provided by the professor (everything will be available in electronic format in the Moodle virtual classroom);
- Quer, J. et al. (eds.). 2019. SignGram Blueprint. A Guide to Sign Language Grammar Writing. Berlin, Boston: De Gruyter Mouton. —> only Part 7 (“Pragmatics”), Chapters 1, 2, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11;
- Winston, E. & C. Roy. 2015. Discourse analysis and sign languages. In A. Schembri & C. Lucas (eds.) Sociolinguistics and Deaf Communities. Cambridge University Press. 95-119;
- Celo, P. (ed). 2015. I segni del tradurre. Riflessioni sulla traduzione in lingua dei segni italiana. Ariccia: Aracne;
- Fontana, S. 2013. Tradurre Lingue dei Segni. Modena: Mucchi. —> only Chapter 4, 107-126;
- Danese, L. 2011. La traduzione dall’italiano alla LIS: proposta di accessibilità dei contenuti turistici e culturali. In A. Cardinaletti, C. Cecchetto e C. Donati (eds.), Grammatica, lessico e dimensioni di variazione nella LIS. Milano: Franco Angeli, 231-245;
- Bertone C. (ed). 2013. Pinocchio in LIS. Venezia: Edizioni Cafoscarina, 9-54.
Language practice (for advanced students):
- lecture notes;
- further study material may be suggested by the tutor during classes.
Assessment methods
Advanced students: the exam related to language practice consists of a written examination aiming at verifying comprehension skills in LIS and an oral examination aiming at verifying productive skills in LIS. The exam related to the theoretical module consists in the realization of a 10-page individual research paper. It should deal with the topics discussed in class and it should include: discourse analysis, comparative analysis LIS/Italian, translation accompanied by a critical analysis of the adopted translation techniques. Moreover, attending students are requested to do three exercises in the Moodle platform during the course and non-attending students are requested to add a section on methodological issues to the research paper.
In both cases, the final score is the mean of the scores obtained in the examinations related to language practice and the score obtained in the examination related to the theoretical module.
Teaching methods
Moodle virtual classroom.
Language practice (both individually and in groups).
An extensive range of video recorded linguistic material will be used.
Students will use the software GoReact (https://goreact.wistia.com/medias/htlspjqzsh ) specifically developed for the correction of linguistic practice in sign language. Students will receive feedback to their linguistic exercise through the software GoReact from the tutor. This software requires subscription payment.
Teaching language
Further information
Type of exam
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This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Poverty and inequalities" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development