CdSLINGUE E LETTERATURE STRANIERE
Codice073LL
CFU9
PeriodoPrimo semestre
LinguaItaliano
The course has two main objectives. The first is to become familiar with the pragmatic notions and categories mentioned above so that they can be used as as tools for the analysis of English real texts and conversations; the other is to make students aware of the cultural specificities of some figures of speech and of their use in written texts. Enrichment of the vocabulary is also an objective of the Course.
The course has two main objectives. The first is to become familiar with the pragmatic notions and categories mentioned above so that they can be used as as tools for the analysis of English real texts and conversations; the other is to make students aware of the cultural specificities of some figures of speech and of their use in written texts. Enrichment of the vocabulary is also an objective of the Course.
The course is made up of two parts: a thematic course given by the lecturers (prof. Bertuccelli and Dr. Cappelli) and a "lettorato" (language practice) taught by English speaking instructors (Dr. Hale, dr Mazzoncini and Dr. Smith). Both the Course and the lettorato aim at bringing the participants to the C1 (advanced) level of proficiency in English. To this end, students are expected to follow both as part of the course work. The thematic course will take place in the first term (September – December). The lettorato will cover the two terms (September - December and February – May). In order to complete the course and receive the 9 credits, all students are required to take a written assessment test focusing on the contents of the thematic course and a language proficiency test verifying the attainment of the C1 proficiency level in English. (More information on the lettorato classes is available on MOODLE-CLI). Internationally recognized certificates of language proficiency (e.g. CAE, IELTs, etc. – not older than two years) can be presented as proof of the required language proficiency in substitution of the lettorato test.
In order to sit the exam on the course students must have passed the English language 1 and 2 exams.
The course is made up of two parts: a thematic course given by the lecturers (prof. Bertuccelli and Dr. Cappelli) and a "lettorato" (language practice) taught by English speaking instructors (Dr. Hale and Dr. Smith). The thematic course will be given in the first semester. Both the Course and the lettorato aim at bringing the participants to the C1 (advanced) level of proficiency in English. To this end, students are expected to follow both as part of the course work. The thematic course will take place in the first term (September – December). The lettorato will cover the two terms (September - December and February – May). In order to complete the course and receive the 9 credits, all students are required to take a written assessment test focusing on the contents of the thematic course and a language proficiency test verifying the attainment of the C1 proficiency level in English. (More information on the lettorato classes is available on MOODLE-CLI). Internationally recognized certificates of language proficiency (e.g. CAE, IELTs, etc. – not older than two years) can be presented as proof of the required language proficiency in substitution of the lettorato test.
In order to sit the exam on the course students must have passed the English language 1 and 2 exams.
The course will be given in the first semester and is aimed at a C1 level of language proficiency. To this end, students are also expected to follow, as part of their individual job, two “lettorati” –one for the written (Dr. Steve Smith) and one for the oral skills practice ( Dr. Tracy Hale) (information on MOODLE-CLI). The two “lettorati” are active during the first and the second semester. After the two semesters, students must sit for a language test aimed at the C1 level. Passing the test is essential to get the credits and the final mark . The Lettorato report can be replaced by an international certificate.
TITLE OF THE COURSE:"Pragmatics and Figurative Language"
MODULE A: Pragmatics
Pragmatics is basically the study of how speakers use words and sentences to convey meaning above and beyond their literal expressions. This course surveys several core issues in pragmatics and English figurative language. The Pragmatics module will be focused on the following Topics: 1. semantics vs. pragmatics; 2. context and types of knowledge necessary to recover intended meaning (situational, general background knowledge, interpersonal), deixis; 3. entailment and presupposition; 4. speech acts; 5 inferences and the Cooperative principle; 6. theories of politeness; 7. intercultural pragmatics; 8. pragmatics in specific discourse domain; 9. textuality and discourse markers;10. meaning and humour.
Module B: Figurative Language
The Figurative Language module will explore the literal / non- literal meaning dimension of verbal communication, with special focus on the following topics: Metaphor, Metonymy, Irony, Hyperbole,Understatement. Theoretical approaches: Gricean Pragmatics , Relevance Theory, Cognitive Linguistics.
TITLE OF THE COURSE: PRagmatics and Figurative Language
MODULE A:
Pragmatics is basically the study of how speakers use words and sentences to convey meaning above and beyond their literal expressions. This course surveys several core issues in pragmatics and English figurative language. The Pragmatics module will be particularly concerned with the distinction between semantic and pragmatic meaning. Topics: 1. semantics vs. pragmatics; 2.context and types of knowledge necessary to recover intended meaning (situational, general background knowledge, interpersonal), deixis; 3. entailment and presupposition; 4. speech acts; 5 inferences and the Cooperative principle; 6. theories of politeness; 7. intercultural pragmatics; 8. pragmatics in specific discourse domain; 9. discourse markers;10.meaning and humour: the contribution of semantics and pragmatics.
Module B: Figurative Language
The Figurative Language module will explore the literal / non- literal meaning debate, with special focus on the following topics: Idioms, Metaphor, Hyperbole, Metonymy, Irony, Understatement , Overstatement. Theoretical approaches: Gricean Pragmatics , Relevance Theory, Cognitive Linguistics.
Module A:
Culpeper, J. and Haugh, M. (2014), Pragmatics and the English language, Palgrave Macmillan.
Cutting, J. (2015), Pragmatics. A resource book for students, 3rd Ed., London and NY : Routledge.
Module B:
R.Gibbs & H.L. Colston, 2012, Interpreting Figurative Meaning, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (chapters 1,2,3,4).
M.Bertuccelli, 2013, “A preliminary study of Idiomatic and figurative uses of “hand” in English and “mano” in Italian: embodiment and cultural filters”, in Rassegna Italiana di Linguistica Applicata, pp. 9-16.
Z. Kovecses, 2010, Metaphor, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2nd ed., pp. 3-48.
M.McCarthy - R. Carter, 2004, “There’s millions of them”: hyperbole in everyday conversation, Journal of pragmatics 36, pp.149-184.
S. Attardo, 2000, "Irony as relevant inappropriateness", Journal of pragmatics 32, pp. 793-826
D. Wilson - D. Sperber, 2012, "Explaining Irony" Chapter 6 of Meaning and Relevance, Cambridge UP, pp. 123-145.
*Further readings may be suggested during the Course. Some texts will be available online on this website.
Module A:
Cutting, J. (2015), Pragmatics. A resource book for students, 3rd Ed., London and NY : Routledge.
Goatly, A. (2012), Meaning and Humour, Cambridge: CUP.
O’Keeffe, A., Clancy, B. and Adolphs, S. (2011) Introducing Pragmatics in Use, London and NY : Routledge
Module B:
R.Gibbs & H.L. Colston, 2012, Interpreting Figurative Meaning, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (chapters 1,2,3,4).
M.Bertuccelli, 2009, “Implicitness”, in Key notions for pragmatics, J.Verschuren and I.Ostman eds, Benjamins, pp. 139-162.
M.Bertuccelli, 2013, “A preliminary study of Idiomatic and figurative uses of “hand” in English and “mano” in Italian: embodiment and cultural filters”, in Rassegna Italiana di Linguistica Applicata, pp. 9-16.
Z. Kovecses, 2010, Metaphor, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2nd ed., pp. 3-48.
M.McCarthy- R. Carter, 2004, “There’s millions of them”: hyperbole in everyday conversation, Journal of pragmatics 36, pp.149-184.
Gibbs, R. ,2007, Idioms. in Geeraerts, D. and Cuyckens, H., (Eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Cognitive Linguistics. Oxford: OUP.
*Further readings may be suggested during the Course.
Students who cannot attend the Course are kindly invited to contact the teachers.
Students who cannot attend the course are kindly invited to contact the Teachers.
The exam is a written test (10 questions) on the topics of the Course.
The exam is a written test (ten questions) on the topics of the course.
The Course will be held in English.
Language of the Course: ENGLISH