The module 1 B “Syntax and the Languages of the World” has the aim to provide competences on syntactic analysis and skills in the application of the acquired abilities in the comparison between different languages; knowledge of the diverse types of classification (languages families; typological and areal linguistics), critical reflection on the different levels of linguistic analysis, including the relation between the formal, semantic and pragmatic aspects of languages (“interfaces”).
Expected learning outcomes: the students will understand the distinction and relation between the different levels of analysis and will be able to apply universal rules of phrasal composition to different languages, reflecting on and accounting for some major syntactic phenomena.
Expected learning outcomes: the students will understand the distinction and relation between the different levels of analysis and will be able to apply universal rules of phrasal composition to different languages, reflecting on and accounting for some major syntactic phenomena.
Curriculum
teacher profile teaching materials
In particular, this B Part will deal with the following topics:
- Linguistic universals. Principles and Parameters.
- Categories and Functions; the notion of “word”.
- Syntactic analysis: constituency tests, phrase structure, phrasal “heads”, the head-complement parameter.
- Interfaces: interaction between syntax and the other levels of the grammar (lexicon, semantics, morphology and pragmatics)
- Verb valency. Arguments vs. adjuncts; argumental roles.
- Sentential structure; clausal types; null and expletive subject.
- Basic notions of pragmatics, Speech acts; Information structure.
- Major language families, genealogy classification of languages and their origin.
- Typological classification of languages; morphologic and syntactic typology. Comparative analysis.Ergativity
Crystal, D. (1993) Enciclopedia Cambridge delle scienze del linguaggio, P.M. Bertinetto (ed.), Zanichelli, Bologna (Part IX: pp. 283-327).
Programme
The main objective of this course (Parts A+B) is to introduce students into the study of the theory and methods of General Linguistics – a subject having a crucial importance in the relevant “Corso di Laurea Triennale”. To this purpose, the basic notions of linguistics are illustrated – though at an elementary level, integrating theory with the discussion of examples and class exercises.In particular, this B Part will deal with the following topics:
- Linguistic universals. Principles and Parameters.
- Categories and Functions; the notion of “word”.
- Syntactic analysis: constituency tests, phrase structure, phrasal “heads”, the head-complement parameter.
- Interfaces: interaction between syntax and the other levels of the grammar (lexicon, semantics, morphology and pragmatics)
- Verb valency. Arguments vs. adjuncts; argumental roles.
- Sentential structure; clausal types; null and expletive subject.
- Basic notions of pragmatics, Speech acts; Information structure.
- Major language families, genealogy classification of languages and their origin.
- Typological classification of languages; morphologic and syntactic typology. Comparative analysis.Ergativity
Core Documentation
Frascarelli, M., F. Ramaglia e B. Corpina (2012) Elementi di sintassi. Caissa Italia – Roma/Cesena. Chapters: Introduction, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, Appendix (excluding the paragraphs indicated with a grey background in the Table of Contents)Crystal, D. (1993) Enciclopedia Cambridge delle scienze del linguaggio, P.M. Bertinetto (ed.), Zanichelli, Bologna (Part IX: pp. 283-327).
Type of delivery of the course
The course extends of the semester with 36 hours of class teaching, during which the different subjects are discussed and exercises corrected in order to understand and solve problems and doubts. Students are always called to participate actively during the class. Frequency is recommended. No specific program is planned for non-attending students, who are invited to contact the professor in charge.Type of evaluation
Online oral exams; video conference on Microsoft Teams. teacher profile teaching materials
In particular, this B Part will deal with the following topics:
- Linguistic universals. Principles and Parameters.
- Categories and Functions; the notion of “word”.
- Syntactic analysis: constituency tests, phrase structure, phrasal “heads”, the head-complement parameter.
- Interfaces: interaction between syntax and the other levels of the grammar (lexicon, semantics, morphology and pragmatics)
- Verb valency. Arguments vs. adjuncts; argumental roles.
- Sentential structure; clausal types; null and expletive subject.
- Basic notions of pragmatics, Speech acts; Information structure.
- Major language families, genealogy classification of languages and their origin.
- Typological classification of languages; morphologic and syntactic typology. Comparative analysis.Ergativity
Crystal, D. (1993) Enciclopedia Cambridge delle scienze del linguaggio, P.M. Bertinetto (ed.), Zanichelli, Bologna (Part IX: pp. 283-327).
Programme
The main objective of this course (Parts A+B) is to introduce students into the study of the theory and methods of General Linguistics – a subject having a crucial importance in the relevant “Corso di Laurea Triennale”. To this purpose, the basic notions of linguistics are illustrated – though at an elementary level, integrating theory with the discussion of examples and class exercises.In particular, this B Part will deal with the following topics:
- Linguistic universals. Principles and Parameters.
- Categories and Functions; the notion of “word”.
- Syntactic analysis: constituency tests, phrase structure, phrasal “heads”, the head-complement parameter.
- Interfaces: interaction between syntax and the other levels of the grammar (lexicon, semantics, morphology and pragmatics)
- Verb valency. Arguments vs. adjuncts; argumental roles.
- Sentential structure; clausal types; null and expletive subject.
- Basic notions of pragmatics, Speech acts; Information structure.
- Major language families, genealogy classification of languages and their origin.
- Typological classification of languages; morphologic and syntactic typology. Comparative analysis.Ergativity
Core Documentation
Frascarelli, M., F. Ramaglia e B. Corpina (2012) Elementi di sintassi. Caissa Italia – Roma/Cesena. Chapters: Introduction, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, Appendix (excluding the paragraphs indicated with a grey background in the Table of Contents)Crystal, D. (1993) Enciclopedia Cambridge delle scienze del linguaggio, P.M. Bertinetto (ed.), Zanichelli, Bologna (Part IX: pp. 283-327).
Type of delivery of the course
The course extends of the semester with 36 hours of class teaching, during which the different subjects are discussed and exercises corrected in order to understand and solve problems and doubts. Students are always called to participate actively during the class. Frequency is recommended. No specific program is planned for non-attending students, who are invited to contact the professor in charge.Type of evaluation
Online oral exams; video conference on Microsoft Teams.