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
Specifically, the research work may focus on the following areas of investigation (to be defined during the course):
(1) The interpretation and implementation of different types of Focus (informative, corrective, contrastive, exclusive, purposive), taking into account their semantic, syntactic (in situ vs. fronted) and prosodic properties.
(2) The interpretation and implementation of different types of Topic, the creation of topic chains and the interpretation of the null subject in a comparison of pro-drop languages (total, partial to radical) and non-pro-drop languages (such as Germanic languages).
(3) Nominal modification in its various cross-linguistic realizations (adjectives, relative phrases, prepositional phrases).
(4) Verbal modification, with special attention to the category of so-called "adjuncts."
- 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
Additional material can be defined during the course. Any additions will be reported on the Moodle platform.
Mutuazione: 20710724 LINGUISTICA GENERALE D LM (STRUTTURA DELL'INFORMAZIONE) in Lingue moderne per la comunicazione internazionale LM-38 FRASCARELLI MARA
Programme
The course aims to analyze, within the theoretical framework of Generative Grammar, the relationship between syntax, prosody, semantics and discourse grammar, and to provide skills related to research in the scientific field, through the creation of experiments to be submitted to informants (native speakers of the language chosen for analysis), for the collection of data to be subsequently subjected to analysis (including through statistical analysis tools).Specifically, the research work may focus on the following areas of investigation (to be defined during the course):
(1) The interpretation and implementation of different types of Focus (informative, corrective, contrastive, exclusive, purposive), taking into account their semantic, syntactic (in situ vs. fronted) and prosodic properties.
(2) The interpretation and implementation of different types of Topic, the creation of topic chains and the interpretation of the null subject in a comparison of pro-drop languages (total, partial to radical) and non-pro-drop languages (such as Germanic languages).
(3) Nominal modification in its various cross-linguistic realizations (adjectives, relative phrases, prepositional phrases).
(4) Verbal modification, with special attention to the category of so-called "adjuncts."
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
Additional material can be defined during the course. Any additions will be reported on the Moodle platform.
Type of delivery of the course
TraditionalAttendance
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.