The LM Course on “Information Structure” falls within the domain of the Complementary learning activities of the MA Degree Course in Modern Languages for International Communication and, specifically, within those activities that are aimed at delving into and enhancing the competences acquired in the linguistic field of analysis. The Course has the aim of providing: advanced reflection on some theoretical and methodological issues concerning, on the one hand, linguistic analysis (with particular reference to information structure, discourse categories and interface analysis) and, on the other, comparative and typological studies in Italy and abroad, thus addressing students towards novel and original paths of research, in a comparative perspective, for individual investigation on information-structural issues. Expected learning outcomes: The students will acquire deep knowledge and advanced competences on the theoretical aspects and the methodological tools which are necessary for the interface analysis of information structure phenomena; they will have a wide knowledge of the relevant international literature and will be able to elaborate individual and original research paths.
teacher profile teaching materials
(1) The semantic properties and interpretation of different types of Focus (informative, corrective, contrastive, exclusive, purposive) and their formal realisation, both syntactic (in situ vs. fronted) and prosodic, in typologically different languages.
(2) The semantic properties and interpretation of different Topic types, the creation of topic chains and the interpretation of the null subject in a comparison between pro-drop (total, partial to radical) and non-pro-drop languages (such as Germanic languages).
(3) The split-DP and the categories realised within the functional area dominating the Noun Phrase.
(4) The phenomena of subject-verb agreement in Romance languages, with a focus on collective and mass nouns, in their evolution into pseudo-quantitative elements.
The course will deal with different languages, based on original data and interpretative investigations, and includes an applied experimental part, with the creation of an original investigation by the students.
- Frascarelli, Mara (2007). Subjects, Topics and the Interpretation of Referential pro. An interface approach to the linking of (null) pronouns. Natural Language and Linguistic Theory, 25, 4: 691-734
- Frascarelli, Mara (2017). Dislocations and Framings. In Elisabeth Stark and Andreas Dufter (eds.) Manual of Romance Morphosyntax and Syntax, 472-501. (Manuals of Romance Linguistics). Berlin: Mouton.
- Frascarelli, Mara (2018) The interpretation of pro in consistent and partial NS languages: A comparative interface analysis. in Federica Cognola & Jan Casalicchio (eds.), Null-Subjects in Generative Grammar. A synchronic and diachronic perspective, 211-239, Part IIB, Ch. 9. Oxford University Press, Oxford/New York.
- Frascarelli, Mara & Giorgio Carella (2019). Topic chains and the interpretation of null subjects: The acquisition of discourse-related strategies in Italian. The Linguistic Review, 36 (4): 637-674.
- Frascarelli, Mara & Marco Casentini (2019). The interpretation of null subjects in a radical pro-drop language. Topic chains and discourse semantic requirements in Chinese. Studies in Chinese Linguistics, 40, (1). Online publication DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/scl-2019-0001
- Frascarelli, Mara & Tania Stortini (2019). Focus constructions, verb types and the SV/VS order in Italian: An acquisitional study from a syntax-prosody perspective. Lingua 227 102690 (online).
- Frascarelli, Mara (2010). Narrow Focus, Clefting and Predicate Inversion. Lingua, 120, 9: 2121-2147.
Additional material can be defined during the course. Any additions will be reported on the Moodle platform.
Programme
The course aims to analyse, within the theoretical framework of Generative Grammar, the relationship between syntax, prosody, semantics and discourse grammar. In particular, the following areas of investigation and research will be explored:(1) The semantic properties and interpretation of different types of Focus (informative, corrective, contrastive, exclusive, purposive) and their formal realisation, both syntactic (in situ vs. fronted) and prosodic, in typologically different languages.
(2) The semantic properties and interpretation of different Topic types, the creation of topic chains and the interpretation of the null subject in a comparison between pro-drop (total, partial to radical) and non-pro-drop languages (such as Germanic languages).
(3) The split-DP and the categories realised within the functional area dominating the Noun Phrase.
(4) The phenomena of subject-verb agreement in Romance languages, with a focus on collective and mass nouns, in their evolution into pseudo-quantitative elements.
The course will deal with different languages, based on original data and interpretative investigations, and includes an applied experimental part, with the creation of an original investigation by the students.
Core Documentation
- Puglielli, Annarita e Mara Frascarelli (2008). L’analisi Linguistica. Dai dati alla teoria. Roma/Cesena: Caissa Editore (Capitoli scelti).- Frascarelli, Mara (2007). Subjects, Topics and the Interpretation of Referential pro. An interface approach to the linking of (null) pronouns. Natural Language and Linguistic Theory, 25, 4: 691-734
- Frascarelli, Mara (2017). Dislocations and Framings. In Elisabeth Stark and Andreas Dufter (eds.) Manual of Romance Morphosyntax and Syntax, 472-501. (Manuals of Romance Linguistics). Berlin: Mouton.
- Frascarelli, Mara (2018) The interpretation of pro in consistent and partial NS languages: A comparative interface analysis. in Federica Cognola & Jan Casalicchio (eds.), Null-Subjects in Generative Grammar. A synchronic and diachronic perspective, 211-239, Part IIB, Ch. 9. Oxford University Press, Oxford/New York.
- Frascarelli, Mara & Giorgio Carella (2019). Topic chains and the interpretation of null subjects: The acquisition of discourse-related strategies in Italian. The Linguistic Review, 36 (4): 637-674.
- Frascarelli, Mara & Marco Casentini (2019). The interpretation of null subjects in a radical pro-drop language. Topic chains and discourse semantic requirements in Chinese. Studies in Chinese Linguistics, 40, (1). Online publication DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/scl-2019-0001
- Frascarelli, Mara & Tania Stortini (2019). Focus constructions, verb types and the SV/VS order in Italian: An acquisitional study from a syntax-prosody perspective. Lingua 227 102690 (online).
- Frascarelli, Mara (2010). Narrow Focus, Clefting and Predicate Inversion. Lingua, 120, 9: 2121-2147.
Additional material can be defined during the course. Any additions will be reported on the Moodle platform.
Reference Bibliography
Useful reference bibliographies for further analysis will be provided by the reference sections in the articles indicated in the syllabus, which will be read and commented on during the classes.Type of delivery of the course
The teaching activity is planned to be held exclusively in the classroom, allowing remote use only for those categories falling under Article 39 of the University's Didactic Regulations. In particular, the course includes 20 frontal lessons of two hours each (for a total of 40 hours), in the premises of the Department of Foreign Languages and Cultures. At the same time, the Moodle platform will be active at all times, where materials, handouts and in-progress exercises will be provided.Attendance
Frequency is highly recommended. No specific program is planned for non-attending students, who are invited to contact the professor in charge.Type of evaluation
The assessment is based on on-going exercises and a paper (max. 15 pages) written by the candidate on the experimental investigation conducted as part of the course, and its discussion during the oral examination. The oral examination will take place in person, at the University venues.