ITA2230

Italian language and society

(ART)

Not offered in 2000

M Cicioni

8 points + 3 hours per week + First semester + Clayton

Synopsis: The Italian linguistic situation, with some historical background on pre-unification Italy, but with a focus on developments in the twentieth century. The most important features of the three main dialect areas (North, Centre and South) are analysed, and the language-dialect continuum in the Italy of the 1990s is discussed. The subject also looks at the most important varieties of written standard Italian, such as the language of sports reports, of advertising, and of bureaucracy.

Assessment: Examinations (2 hours): 35% + Assignments: 45% + Seminar participation: 20%