Italian linguistics 3: historical linguistics

Academic year: 2008-2009 Course code module FLWTLI0310 Semester: 2nd semester Credits: 4 Study load (hours) 112 Theory (hours): 30,00 Practice/Exercises(hours): Other (hours): Part-time program: 1/2 Instructor(s) Dieter Vermandere Language of instruction: Italian Semester exam information: exam in the 2nd semester Contract restriction information: 1. Prerequisites *Algemene competenties Students have a good introduction-level knowledge of Italian linguistics, and are capable of adequately describing and analysing linguistic data (bibliographies, grammars) and can pinpoint grammatical variation between normative prescriptive grammar and practical usage. Knowledge of Latin is not required. *Sequentiality This course is offered in the programme of Romance Languages, Literatures and Linguistics for the students of the old "licentiaatsprogramma"; it is furthermore offered in the third year of the Bachelor programme where it continues the formation in Italian linguistics of the second year of the bachelor programme. 2. Objectives (expected learning outcomes) This course trains students to correctly read and interpret old Italian forms in texts and to interpret their historical development. The historical evolution of Italian will be described starting from the old Latin forms, and using texts from different periods and ages. The students will be able to correctly interpret historical evolutionary stages based on older and modern Italian linguistic forms as they find their way in the historical grammars of Italian. 3. Course content This course proposes a linguistic history of the Italian language from the "internal" (i.e. grammatical) point of view: phonetic, phonological, morphological and syntactic patterns in the evolution of Italian from Latin to the modern stages will be studied. There will be a specific interest in the geographical variation, and the evolution of the Tuscan norm and its implications for present day Italian. 4. Teaching method Direct contact: Lectures 5. Assessment method Exam: Oral, with written preparation 6. Compulsory reading – study material PATOTA Giuseppe (2002), Lineamenti di grammatica storica dell'italiano, Il Mulino, Bologna. 7. Recommended reading - study material There is no shortage of publications on historical Italian linguistics. Accessible and useful are especially the following references: SERIANNI Luca (2001), Lezioni di grammatica storica italiana, Bulzoni, Roma. ZAMBONI Alberto (2000), Alle origini dell'italiano. Dinamiche e tipologie della transizione dal latino, Carocci, Roma. MAIDEN Martin (1998), Storia linguistica dell'italiano, Il Mulino, Bologna. SERIANNI Luca & Giuseppe ANTONELLI (2006), L'italiano: istruzioni per l'uso. Storia e attualità della lingua italiana, Mondadori, Milano. For detailed references on historical evolutions of specific forms and/or items: see Rohlfs (1966-1969) and/or Tekavcic (1972). 8. Tutoring Tutoring is done by the instructor - contact him for further info. laatste aanpassing: last update: 13/09/2008 14:02 dieter.vermandere