ITALIAN LANGUAGE - PRE-INTERMEDIATE B1

N.B. Students cannot attend classes or take exams if they are not officially enrolled in this course. For any information about the SIE Italian language courses for exchange students, please visit this webpage: https://www.unive.it/pag/9945/
The course consists of two modules: one is a metalinguistic reflection on the Italian language (General Language module), the second is dedicated to language practice according to the students’ language level. The present syllabus is only for the first module. The objective of this module is to learn the basic notions of Italian linguistics and to develop skills in metalinguistic and metatextual analysis. We will examine both external and internal linguistic factors, and in particular, will consider the following areas: cultural and semiotic aspects of the Italian language; sociolinguistic and pragmatic characteristics; spelling and phonology; morphosyntax; the lexicon; textuality.

At the end of the course, students will be able to contextualize the main aspects of Italian linguistics: the history and diffusion of the Italian language and the primary levels of linguistic analysis, from pragmatics to phonetics. Knowledge of external linguistics will increase the level of motivation that students have towards the study of Italian; knowledge of internal linguistic factors will facilitate the development of students' linguistic and metalinguistic skills.

No previous knowledge is required.

- outline of Italy’s linguistic history as background for the issues relating to having a standard Italian language;
- differences between written and spoken registers;
- sociolinguistic overview of the high and low varieties (e.g. literary, formal, bureaucratic, colloquial etc.);
- analysis of a variety of texts: texts from the web, advertising texts, literary texts etc;
- the development of the Italian language norms (marked constructions, verbal and pronominal forms, tendency to anglicise the lexicon, etc.);
- poetic function and main rhetoric strategies;
- pragmatic strategies, like implicit contents and inference;
- detailed grammatical analysis referring to the contents of the corresponding level of language practice.

The exam will be based on the topics covered during the course and on the texts provided in class. To review some grammar-related notions, the following text is recommended: M. MAIDEN, C. ROBUSTELLI, A reference grammar of modern Italian, London, Arnold, 2007 (PLEASE NOTE that this is not a mandatory text).

Lessons are interactive and are defined by active participation. The General Language module will mostly follow the lecture format, during which explanations relating to the various topics will be provided. Teaching tools include written and oral texts, videos, songs and other materials where relevant. Students will also be asked to carry out exercises and assignments.

written and oral