ITA2230

Italian language and society

(ART)

M Cicioni

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

Synopsis: This subject examines 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 analyzed, 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: Examination (2 hours): 40% + 2 assignments (1000 words each): 40% + 3 Seminar participation tasks (200 words each) : 20%