The course aims to analyze in depth topics, issues and authors who, for various reasons, represent crucial turning points in the history of the Italian language.
The course will focus on literary Italian (ancient and modern), but will also examine other uses and registers of the language, such as jargons, technical languages and semiliterate production, taking into account the complex geolinguistic situation of the Italian territory, where dialects and minority languages play even today an important role.
With regard in particular to the earliest phases of the language, texts of outstanding interest, both in prose and in poetry, will be read and commented upon in detail.
The student will therefore acquire an in-depth knowledge of the historical development of the Italian language its earliest attestations to the present.
(S)He will furthermore acquire the ability to apply with confidence the methodology of linguistic analysis to literary and non-literary texts, also in a diachronic perspective.
The course will focus on literary Italian (ancient and modern), but will also examine other uses and registers of the language, such as jargons, technical languages and semiliterate production, taking into account the complex geolinguistic situation of the Italian territory, where dialects and minority languages play even today an important role.
With regard in particular to the earliest phases of the language, texts of outstanding interest, both in prose and in poetry, will be read and commented upon in detail.
The student will therefore acquire an in-depth knowledge of the historical development of the Italian language its earliest attestations to the present.
(S)He will furthermore acquire the ability to apply with confidence the methodology of linguistic analysis to literary and non-literary texts, also in a diachronic perspective.
teacher profile teaching materials
2) Paolo D'Achille, Breve grammatica storica dell'italiano, 3. ed., Roma, Carocci, 2019.
3) Roberta Cella, Nino Mastruzzo, La più antica lirica italiana «Quando eu stava in le tu cathene» (Ravenna 1226), Bologna, il Mulino, 2022.
Attending students can replace volume 3) with notes and materials provided in class.
Programme
The oldest vernacular texts in the Italian-Romance area (origins-first half of the 13th century)Core Documentation
1) Ludovica Maconi, Mirko Volpi, Antichi documenti dei volgari italiani, Roma, Carocci, 2022.2) Paolo D'Achille, Breve grammatica storica dell'italiano, 3. ed., Roma, Carocci, 2019.
3) Roberta Cella, Nino Mastruzzo, La più antica lirica italiana «Quando eu stava in le tu cathene» (Ravenna 1226), Bologna, il Mulino, 2022.
Attending students can replace volume 3) with notes and materials provided in class.
Reference Bibliography
1) Claudio Marazzini, La lingua italiana. Profilo storico, 3. ed., Bologna, Il Mulino, 2002. 2) Gerhard Rohlfs, Grammatica storica della lingua italiana e dei suoi dialetti, 3 voll., Firenze, Accademia della Crusca; Bologna, Il Mulino, rist. 2021.Type of delivery of the course
Taught class involving active participation on the part of the students, who can write a paper on the topic of the course. Attendance is recommended. The syllabus is the same for all students, regardless of whether they attend.Attendance
The course proposes the linguistic reading and interpretation of vernacular texts from the end of the 8th century to the beginning of the 13th century, based on the most recent textual and interpretative acquisitions.Type of evaluation
An oral exam at the end of the course. Interim assessments will not be available, but attending students can take a final written test that replaces the oral exam. The exam will focus on the material referred to under ‘Bibliography’ and on the topics dealt with during the course. The exam will assess: 1) the depth and breadth of the knowledge of the subject acquired; 2) command of the technical vocabulary; 3) the ability to bring together critically topics and issues dealt with during the course.