Programme

Presentation of the essential notions of the typology, such as the relationship between typology and universals, the notion of 'type' at the various analysis levels, and the relationship of typology with sociolinguistics, language teaching, areal comparison, and genetic comparison. Deepening of the mechanisms and explanations of linguistic change, also from the typological perspective. Reflection on the concepts of grammaticalization and reanalysis. Case study on the diachronic typology of the perfect.

Core Documentation

Grandi, N., 2003, Fondamenti di tipologia linguistica, Roma, Carocci.
Napoli, M., 2019, Linguistica diacronica, Roma Carocci.

Type of evaluation

Students can choose between a completely oral exam and an exam consisting in an essay and a couple of questions concerning the parts of the program not dealth with in the essay. The essay is expected to be about 30000 characters long. The topic must be agreed with the teacher, starting from those dealt with during the course. The essay should be structured in a first part, theoretical in nature, and a second part consisting in the analysis of data collected by the student in relation to the chosen topic. The essay must be handed in to the teacher one week before the chosen date of the exam.

Programme

Presentation of the essential notions of the typology, such as the relationship between typology and universals, the notion of 'type' at the various analysis levels, and the relationship of typology with sociolinguistics, language teaching, areal comparison, and genetic comparison. Deepening of the mechanisms and explanations of linguistic change, also from the typological perspective. Reflection on the concepts of grammaticalization and reanalysis. Case study on the diachronic typology of the perfect.

Core Documentation

Grandi, N., 2003, Fondamenti di tipologia linguistica, Roma, Carocci.
Napoli, M., 2019, Linguistica diacronica, Roma Carocci.

Type of evaluation

Students can choose between a completely oral exam and an exam consisting in an essay and a couple of questions concerning the parts of the program not dealth with in the essay. The essay is expected to be about 30000 characters long. The topic must be agreed with the teacher, starting from those dealt with during the course. The essay should be structured in a first part, theoretical in nature, and a second part consisting in the analysis of data collected by the student in relation to the chosen topic. The essay must be handed in to the teacher one week before the chosen date of the exam.