PRINCIPLES OF LINGUISTICS - II

The course is part of the basic educational activities of the Bachelor’s degree programme in Humanities, common to both curricula (Antiquity; Science of the Literary Text and Communication). It aims to equip students with foundational methodological tools in linguistics and philology. The course objectives are to foster critical reflection on language and to provide basic methodological tools for linguistic analysis and interlinguistic comparison. Particular attention is given to semantics, interlinguistic variation, general aspects of linguistic variability, and language from a cognitive perspective.

1)Knowledge and understanding
Acquire basic linguistic terminology and understand texts that employ it.
Understand the properties of the semantic level of analysis, the methodologies for language classification, and the parameters that determine linguistic variability, while acquiring foundational knowledge of linguistic typology and cognitive linguistics.
2) Application of knowledge and understanding
Use linguistic terminology accurately in the application and communication of acquired knowledge.
Be able to perform basic semantic analysis of one’s native language and other languages within the student’s competence.
Recognise and describe linguistic variability in one’s native language and develop an awareness of interlinguistic variation.
3) Critical thinking
Formulate and justify simple hypotheses while developing an awareness of alternative perspectives.
Demonstrate the ability to engage in critical reasoning.
4) Communication skills
Express linguistic concepts clearly using appropriate terminology.
Communicate information, ideas, problems, and solutions effectively.
Engage with instructors and peers.
5) Learning skills
Take effective notes during lectures
Critically consult reference texts and their bibliographies.

Basic knowledge of semiotics, phonetics, phonology, morphology, and syntax, acquired through the Principles of Linguistics I course.
Foreign students must have a good command of Italian.

The course aims to deepen students’ understanding of language and languages, with particular focus on language classification, especially from the perspective of linguistic typology, and on linguistic variability across time, space, and society. It also introduces the cognitive perspective in the study of language.

Required texts:
- G. Berruto, M. Cerruti, La linguistica. Un corso introduttivo, Torino, UTET, 2017 (chapter 5).
- N. Grandi, Fondamenti di tipologia linguistica, Roma, Carocci, 2003.
- F. Fanciullo, Introduzione alla linguistica storica, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2013 (chapters 1-2).
- L. Gaeta, S. Luraghi, Introduzione alla Linguistica Cognitiva, Bari, Laterza 2014 Roma, Carocci, 2003 (chapters 1-5).

For students enrolled in the Humanities Bachelor’s degree programme, the study plan requires the acquisition of 12 CFU. Consequently, assessment consists of a single oral examination that also includes the content of Principles of Linguistics I.
The examination consists of six questions covering the content of Principles of Linguistics I and Principles of Linguistics II, through which students must demonstrate:
- knowledge of the topics covered in the course;
- the ability to present them using appropriate terminology in a formal manner;
- the capacity for independent reflection on linguistic phenomena.
The first three questions pertain to Principles of Linguistics I, and students must achieve a passing mark (>18) before proceeding to the three questions on Principles of Linguistics II.

oral

28–30 with distinction: Excellent command of the topics covered in lectures and the textbook; appropriate use of technical terminology; outstanding ability to engage in independent reflection on linguistic phenomena.

26–27: Good knowledge of the topics covered in lectures and the textbook; generally correct use of technical terminology; good ability to engage in independent reflection on linguistic phenomena.

24–25: Fair knowledge of the topics covered in lectures and the textbook; occasional inaccuracies in the use of technical terminology; reasonable ability to engage in independent reflection on linguistic phenomena.

22–23: Partially superficial and/or incomplete knowledge of the topics covered in lectures and the textbook; presentation not always clear and/or lacking in technical terminology; sufficient ability to engage in independent reflection on linguistic phenomena.

18–21: Incomplete but sufficient knowledge of the topics covered in lectures and the textbook; unclear presentation and/or deficiencies in technical terminology; weak but acceptable ability to engage in independent reflection on linguistic phenomena.

Lectures with active student-instructor interaction encouraged.