ITALIAN SIGN LANGUAGE 2

Italian Sign Language (LIS) is one of the languages studied in the Bachelor's Degree Program in Languages, Civilizations, and Language Sciences. The general objectives of LIS 2 are: to consolidate the metalinguistic knowledge of LIS, focusing on its morphological and lexical aspects; to achieve an intermediate grammatical competence in LIS. Moreover, the course aims to consolidate the ability to produce and understand moderately complex texts and messages both in formal and informal situations, and the ability to gather information from adaquate sources in LIS.
The course consists of a theoretical module (one semester) and language practice sessions (yearly). The theoretical lectures aim to present the linguistic theories that describe the composition of the lexicon and the main morphological phenomena in LIS, in order to provide the methodological tools for linguistic analysis and for cross-linguistic comparison (spoken and sign languages). The language practice classes aim to develop grammatical, narrative and conversational skills in LIS, by means of classifiers, direct speech, and linguistic tense.

1. Knowledge and understanding:
The student understands the functional equivalent of the basic components of the lexicon and morphology of sign languages and of LIS, in particular.
The student knows the basic terminology of the lexicon and morphology of LIS.
The student knows and understands the morphological processes of LIS and is able to compare them with those of other sign and spoken languages.
The student recognizes the main morphological features, in particular those used in the nominal domain, in the verbal domain, and in classifier constructions.
The student has intermediate knowledge of the lexicon and grammar of LIS.

2. Applying knowledge and understanding:
The student recognizes and describes the basic elements of the lexicon and morphology of LIS and its morphological phenomena.
The student is able to adequately use the terminology concerning the lexicon and morphology of LIS.
The student is able to provide concrete examples of the basic morphological units and phenomena.
The student understands and produces intermediate communicative interactions in LIS in various contexts.

3. Making judgements:
The student is able to express grammatical judgments on signs and intermediate grammatical structures of LIS.
The student is able to detect similarities and differences between morphological units and phenomena in LIS and other sign languages.
The student is able to find the bibliographical references indicated by the professor.

4. Communication:
The student is able to describe the main differences between spoken and sign languages by using the specific terminology and s/he is, furthermore, able to argue in favor of the linguistic status of sign languages.
The student is able to describe the morphological characteristics of LIS by discussing concrete linguistic examples.
The student is able to interact with the peers, the professor and the tutor in a critical and respectful way.
The student is able to interact in LIS in intermediate communicative situations.

5. Learning skills:
The student is able to take notes and to apply the method of critical thinking and cross-linguistic comparison to future linguistic studies.
The student is able to critically consult the literature present in the texts and articles indicated by the professor.

The student is required to have passed the course of Italian Sign Language 1 [LT0016].

The course of LIS 2 is divided into the theoretical module (one semester) and the yearly language practice.

Theoretical module:
1. Lexical properties of signs and the composition of the lexicon in sign languages
2. Parts of speech in LIS
3. The grammar of space
4. The morphological structure of signs
5. Inflectional morphology in the nominal domain
6. Inflectional morphology in the verbal domain
7. Derivational morphology
8. Compounding
9. Characteristics and functions of classifier constructions
10. Role-shift and the logophoric use of pronouns

Language practice:
1. Intermediate grammatical competence in the use of main clauses (declarative, interrogative and negative clause) and dependent clauses (conditional clauses, relative clauses).
2. Intermediate competence in the use of classifiers.
3. Intermediate competence in the use of phonological, morphological and syntactic non-manual components.
4. Competence in the use of role shift.

Theoretical module:
- lecture notes and study material provided by the professor.
- Branchini C., Checchetto A., Fornasiero E., & Mantovan L. (2022). PARTE 3. Lessico. In Branchini C. & L. Mantovan (eds.), Grammatica della lingua dei segni italiana (LIS). Venezia: Edizioni Ca' Foscari.
- Checchetto A., Fornasiero E. & Santoro M. (2022). PARTE 4. Morfologia. In Branchini C. & L. Mantovan (eds.), Grammatica della lingua dei segni italiana (LIS). Venezia: Edizioni Ca' Foscari.
- Bertone C. (2009), “La grammatica dello spazio nella LIS”, in Bertone C., Cardinaletti A. (a cura di) Alcuni capitoli della grammatica della LIS. Atti dell’Incontro di studio “La grammatica della Lingua dei segni italiana”, Venezia, Cafoscarina, pp. 79-99.
- Mazzoni L. (2008), “Classificatori e impersonamento nella Lingua dei Segni Italiana”, PLUS-Pisa University Press, pp. 146-178.
- Mazzoni L. (2009), “Impersonamento ed evidenzialità in LIS”, in Bertone, C., Cardinaletti A. (a cura di) Alcuni capitoli della grammatica della LIS. Atti dell’Incontro di studio “La grammatica della Lingua dei segni italiana”, Venezia, Cafoscarina, pp. 61-77.

Language practice:
- lecture notes
- further study material may be suggested by the tutor during classes
- Dizionario bilingue elementare della lingua italiana dei segni. 1992. Elena Radutzky. Edizioni Kappa.

Students will be evaluated through three different stages: 1) a written examination with about 8 open questions/exercises aiming at verifying the ability to apply and connect the theoretical knowledge acquired during the theoretical module as well as the student’s use of the specific terminology, 2) a written examination aiming at verifying the comprehension skills in LIS, and 3) an oral examination aiming at verifying the production skills in LIS.

In order to be able to take the oral production examination, the student will have to pass the written examination about linguistic comprehension. To pass the course, the student must pass the three stages of the final examination. The final score is the mean of the three scores obtained during the three examinations described above.

written and oral

A positive outcome in the assessment is achieved by passing all three tests. The grade for language practice is determined by the average of the comprehension and production scores. The final grade is calculated as the average between the grade of language practice and that of the theoretical module.

Scores in the range of 18-22: Sufficient knowledge and understanding of the syllabus; sufficient application of theoretical knowledge and understanding, and sufficient linguistic analysis skills; sufficient clarity of exposition and ability to use specific terminology; sufficient communication skills.
Scores in the range of 23-26: Fair knowledge and understanding of the syllabus; fair application of theoretical knowledge and understanding, and fair linguistic analysis skills; fair clarity of exposition and ability to use specific terminology; fair communication skills.
Scores in the range of 27-30: Good to excellent knowledge and understanding of the syllabus; good to excellent application of theoretical knowledge and understanding, and good to excellent linguistic analysis skills; good to excellent clarity of exposition and ability to use specific terminology; good to excellent communication skills.
30 with honors: Excellent knowledge and understanding of the syllabus; excellent application of theoretical knowledge and understanding, and excellent linguistic analysis skills; excellent clarity of exposition and ability to use specific terminology; excellent communication skills.

The theoretical module is blended, and it is organized as follows: 10 synchronous face-to-face classes and 5 asynchronous online classes.
Methods:
- face-to-face lessons;
- language practice (both individually and in groups);
- analysis of video-recorded material in LIS;
- Moodle classroom.

Language practice is organized as follows:
- face-to-face lessons;
- language practice (both individually and in groups);
- analysis of video-recorded material in LIS;

Theoretical module is taught in Italian.
Language practice is taught in Italian Sign Language.

Attendance is highly recommended.

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Poverty and inequalities" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development