ITALIAN SIGN LANGUAGE 2

The course aims at consolidating the lexical and grammatical competence in Italian Sign Language (LIS) and presenting theoretical models apt at describing the peculiar aspects of the lexicon, morphology, and morpho-syntax of LIS, following recent studies on these domains.
The course consists of a theoretical module and language practice. The theoretical lectures aim at discussing the linguistic theories describing the composition of the lexicon and the main morphological phenomena in LIS. The language practice classes aim at developing narrative and conversational skills in LIS, by means of classifiers, direct speech, and linguistic tense.

1. Knowledge and understanding:
The student understands the functional equivalent of the basic components of the lexicon and morphology of sign languages and of LIS, in particular.
The student knows the basic terminology of the lexicon and morphology of LIS.
The student knows and understands the morphological processes of LIS and is able to compare them with those of other sign and spoken languages.
The student recognizes the main morphological features, in particular those used in the nominal domain, in the verbal domain, and in classifier constructions.
The student has intermediate knowledge of the lexicon and grammar of LIS.

2. Applying knowledge and understanding:
The student recognizes and describes the basic elements of the lexicon and morphology of LIS and its morphological phenomena.
The student is able to adequately use the terminology concerning the lexicon and morphology of LIS.
The student is able to provide concrete examples of the basic morphological units and phenomena.
The student understands and produces intermediate communicative interactions in LIS in various contexts.

3. Making judgments:
The student is able to judge the well-formedness of morphological units and phenomena in other sign languages by comparing them to linguistic units and phenomena typical of LIS.
The student is able to find the bibliographical references indicated by the professor.
The student is able to express grammatical judgments on signs and intermediate grammatical structures of LIS.

4. Communication:
The student is able to describe the main differences between spoken and sign languages by using the specific terminology and s/he is, furthermore, able to argue in favor of the linguistic status of sign languages.
The student is able to describe the morphological characteristics of LIS by discussing concrete linguistic examples.
The student is able to interact with the peers, the professor and the tutor in a critical and respectful way.
The student is able to interact in LIS at an intermediate level.

5. Learning skills:
The student is able to take notes and to apply the method of critical thinking and cross-linguistic comparison to future linguistic studies.
The student is able to consult the literature present in the texts and articles indicated by the professor.

The student is required to have passed the course of Italian Sign Language 1.

The course of Italian Sign Language 2 is divided into the theoretical module (one semester) and the yearly linguistic practice.

Theoretical module:
1. Lexical properties of signs and the composition of the lexicon in sign languages
2. Parts of speech in LIS
3. The grammar of space
4. The morphological structure of signs
5. Inflectional morphology in the nominal domain
6. Inflectional morphology in the verbal domain
7. Derivational morphology
8. Compounding
9. Characteristics and functions of classifier constructions
10. Role-shift and the logophoric use of pronouns

Language practice:
1. Intermediate grammatical competence in the use of main clauses (declarative, interrogative and negative clause) and dependent clauses (conditional clauses, relative clauses).
2. Intermediate competence in the use of classifiers.
3. Intermediate competence in the use of phonological, morphological and syntactic non-manual components.
4. Competence in the use of role shift.

Theoretical module:
- lecture notes and study material provided by the professor.
- Branchini C. & L. Mantovan (2020). "A Grammar of Italian Sign Language (LIS)". Venezia: Edizioni Ca' Foscari. >>> PART 3 LEXICON pp. 213-352.
- Branchini C. & L. Mantovan (2020). "A Grammar of Italian Sign Language (LIS)". Venezia: Edizioni Ca' Foscari. >>> PART 4 MORPHOLOGY pp. 353-429.
- Bertone C. (2009), “La grammatica dello spazio nella LIS”, in Bertone C., Cardinaletti A. (a cura di) Alcuni capitoli della grammatica della LIS. Atti dell’Incontro di studio “La grammatica della Lingua dei segni italiana”, Venezia, Cafoscarina, pp. 79-99.
- Mazzoni L. (2008), “Classificatori e impersonamento nella Lingua dei Segni Italiana”, PLUS-Pisa University Press, pp. 146-178.
- Mazzoni L. (2009), “Impersonamento ed evidenzialità in LIS”, in Bertone, C., Cardinaletti A. (a cura di) Alcuni capitoli della grammatica della LIS. Atti dell’Incontro di studio “La grammatica della Lingua dei segni italiana”, Venezia, Cafoscarina, pp. 61-77.

Language practice:
- lecture notes
- further study material may be suggested by the tutor during classes
- Dizionario bilingue elementare della lingua italiana dei segni. 1992. Elena Radutzky. Edizioni Kappa.

Students will be evaluated through three different stages: 1) a written examination with about 8 open questions/exercises aiming at verifying the ability to apply and connect the knowledge acquired during the theoretical module as well as the student’s use of the specific terminology, 2) a written examination aiming at verifying the linguistic comprehension of LIS, and 3) an oral examination aiming at verifying the basic communicative competence developed in LIS.

In order to be able to take the oral production examination, the student will have to pass the written examination about linguistic comprehension. To pass the course, the student must pass the three stages of the final examination. The final score is the mean of the three scores obtained during the three examinations described above.

The theoretical module is blended, and it is organized as follows: 8 synchronous online classes and 7 asynchronous online classes.
Moodle classroom.
Language practice (both individually and in groups).
An extensive range of video recorded linguistic material will be used.

Italian

Attendance and active class participation are highly recommended.
Should a student miss class, s/he is expected to keep informed about the progress of the class.

written and oral