GENERAL LINGUISTICS (INDIA AND SOUTH-EAST ASIA)

The course is among the core teachings common to the degree program in Languages, Cultures, and Societies of Asia and Mediterranean Africa and aims to provide students with the theoretical foundations and essential tools for linguistic analysis.
The primary educational objective of the course within the study program is to develop students' ability for grammatical and metalinguistic reflection, as well as sensitivity to the comparison of linguistic systems—skills that are essential for language study and teaching.
In the lessons of this course, essential theoretical and analytical concepts will be introduced, covering topics such as languages and linguistics, sociolinguistics, phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, language classification, historical linguistics, and second language acquisition. Students will also be guided in applying these analytical tools with direct references to their languages of study.

1. Knowledge and Understanding
• Understand the fundamental characteristics of human language and natural historical languages.
• Be familiar with the basic terminology of phonetic-phonological, morphological, syntactic, semantic, and pragmatic analysis and understand the relevant literature.
• Understand the principles and mechanisms of linguistic variation, both synchronically and diachronically.
2. Ability to Apply Knowledge and Understanding
• Ability to analyze the phonetic-phonological, morphological, syntactic, semantic, and pragmatic levels of one's native language(s).
• Ability to identify and interpret phenomena of synchronic and diachronic variation.
• Ability to correctly use specific linguistic terminology.
3. Independent Judgment
• Be able to formulate and argue simple hypotheses, developing critical thinking skills in evaluating alternative hypotheses.
4. Communication Skills
• Be able to communicate linguistic analysis effectively in written form, using appropriate terminology.
• Be able to interact critically and respectfully with instructors, tutors, and peers.
5. Learning Skills
• Be able to take notes and share them collaboratively.
• Be able to critically consult reference texts and their bibliographies.

For this course there are no pre-requirements.

The fundamental properties of language and languages
The writing systems of languages
Elements of sociolinguistics (language and synchronic variation, linguistic repertoires)
Elements of phonetics and phonology
Morphology and lexicon
Syntax (constituent structure, sentence types)
Semantics
Pragmatics
The classification of languages
Diachronic change
Second language acquisition

Arcodia, G. F. e Panunzi, A. (eds.) (2023). Linguistica. Introduzione alle scienze del linguaggio. MIlano: Pearson - chapters from 1 to 2, chapter 3 (EXCEPT sect. 3.3, 3.4), chapters from 4 to 5, chapter 6 (EXCEPT sect. 6.1, 6.2, box 6.2, 6.4), chapters from 7 to 8, chapter 9 (EXCEPT sect. 9.6, 9.7, 9.8, 9.9, 9.10, 9.11), Chapter 11.

The assessment of learning outcomes takes place through a written exam lasting 1 hour and 15 minutes, consisting of 31 multiple-choice questions. The questions will cover both theoretical concepts and their practical application (e.g., phonetic transcriptions, morphological segmentation).
Each question has only one correct answer, and each correct response is worth one point. The exam is structured into a block of 30 questions, with the total score directly converted into a grade out of 30 (passing grade: 18/30). Additionally, there is a single bonus question required to achieve honours (lode), but only if all 30 previous questions are answered correctly. If even one question in the first block is incorrect, the bonus question will not be considered.
The chapters from the textbooks listed in the syllabus will be included in the exam.

written

Each question has only one correct answer, presented in a multiple-choice format, and each correct answer will be awarded one point. The questions are divided into a block of 30, so the total score will be directly converted into a grade out of 30 (with a passing score of 18/30). There is also a single additional question required to achieve honors, but only if all 30 previous questions are answered correctly. If even one answer in the first block is incorrect, the correct answer to the honors question will not be considered.

In-person classroom lectures.