30713 - Sociolinguistics (LM)

Learning outcomes

.This course aims to present the methods and different ways through which communication and language can be considered and analyzed as social and cultural dimensions. During the course will be examined the various types of linguistic varieties, the linguistic construction of reality and the social representations reflected in it, the relationship between communication, language and individual and collective identities. The course will also draw upon important issues as the sociology of language, the correlation between language and social acting, language and the construction of social realities. Research labs and workshops of sociolinguistic nature will take place through the development of the course. These labs will take in examination concrete types of languages and their various spoken and written repertories. The final purpose of this course beside from laying the theoretic bases of the field, resides in initiating the students to methodology research and practice research. According to a larger picture, the course aims at establishing a correlation between Sociolinguistic principles and Didactic ones.

Course contents

Objectives: The course aims to present the forms and ways in which communication and language can be read and interpreted as social and cultural dimensions. The different types of linguistic variety will be examined; the linguistic construction of reality and social representations; the relationship between communication, language and individual and collective identities; The sociology of language: the "linguistic turning point"; language and social action; language and construction of social reality. During the course, various laboratories and researches of a sociolinguistic nature on concrete languages from the repertoire of written and spoken Italian are planned. The purpose of the course, in addition to the theoretical teaching, is also to start its own students in the field of methods and practical research. The course also aims to build a bridge between the principles of Sociolinguistics and those of Education. If at the end of the course the students will feel the reflection on language as something that belongs to them and they will know how to move with cunning, curiosity and pleasure in the plant of linguistic uses (described and not), without compromising any form of expression, this Course will have reached its half. Teaching language: Italian. Type of exam: The exam will consist of an oral examination on the contents of the course. The use of a correct scientific terminology, typical of the discipline, will be considered as a sine qua non of this educational path. In addition, a short dissertation will be held (optional but always recommended) on sociolinguistic topics to be defined with students at the beginning of the course. It is mandatory to register for the exam only through Almaesami. If the number of members is high, each appeal can be carried out over several days and organized in successive shifts (no more than 25 students per shift).

Readings/Bibliography

G. R. Cardona, Introduzione alla Sociolinguistica, UTET Università 2008

Berruto G., 1995, 2003. Fondamenti di sociolinguistica. Bari, Laterza.

Berruto G., Sociolinguistica dell’italiano contemporaneo, Roma, La Nuova Italia Scientifica, 1987.

OR TO CHOICE FROM:

M.A.K. Halliday, Il linguaggio come semiotica sociale. Un’interpretazione sociale del linguaggio e del significato, Bologna, Zanichelli, 1983

L. J. CALVET, La guerre des langues et les politiques linguistiques (consultabile anche nella sua versione inglese)

W. Labov, Il continuo e il discreto nel linguaggio, Bologna, Il Mulino, 1977.

NECESSARY LITERATURE

F. de Saussure, Corso di Linguistica Generale, Laterza, Bari (lettura parziale, il capitolo di Analogia)

Teaching methods

During the course, laboratories and term papers are also provided for sociolinguistic research.

 

Assessment methods

The exam will consist of an oral examination on the contents of the course. The use of a correct scientific terminology, typical of the discipline, will be considered as a sine qua non of this educational path. In addition, a short dissertation will be held (optional but always recommended) on sociolinguistic topics to be defined with students at the beginning of the course.

Non-attending students who will take the 6 CFU exam, as well as "Sociolinguistica dell'italiano contemporaneo" will also need to study "Fondamenti di Sociolinguistica" of Berruto, or "Introduzione alla sociolinguistica" of Cardona.

It is mandatory to register for the exam only through Almaesami. If the number of members is high, each appeal can be carried out over several days and organized in successive shifts (no more than 25 students per shift).

Office hours

See the website of Enkelejda Shkreli