APPLIED LINGUISTICS

The course is an introduction to topics in applied linguistics, namely (i) first language acquisition focusing on the acquisition of syntax in a comparative perspective, and (ii) language acquisition by deaf individuals and individuals with language disorders. Students will develop analytic skills for the analysis of spontaneous productions and the basic knowledge for the construction of experimental designs.

1. Knowledge and understanding
The student knows the recent hypotheses on first language acquisition.
The student knows how language acquisition varies across languages.
The student has a basic knowledge of atypical language acquisition in the case of deafness and language disorders.
The student has full understanding of the technical terminology and the main methodologies that permit to do research on data from language acquisition.
2. Applying knowledge and understanding
The student knows how to use the hypotheses of formal linguistics to describe and understand aspects of first language acquisition.
The student knows how to use the hypotheses of formal linguistics to describe and understand aspects of atypical first language acquisition in case of deafness and language disorders.
The student knows how to use the technical terminology.
The student knows how to collect new acquisition data, e.g. create a corpus, collect comprehension data.
The student knows how to discuss different hypotheses on the same language acquisition data.
3. Making judgements
The student is able to formulate empirically and theoretically grounded hypotheses on language acquisition data.
The student is able to provide relevant linguistic data in favour or against different hypotheses.
4. Communication skills
The student is able to write with sound argumentation and appropriate terminology about the topics discussed during the course.
During class, the student is able to ask questions and discuss with peers and professors in a critical and respectful manner.
5. Learning skills:
The student is able to develop critical thinking.
The student is able to share information, hypotheses, linguistic problems and solutions.
The student is able to look for and select bibliographical resources to study language acquisition data.

Intermediate knowledge of general linguistics and the theory of syntax.

The course will focus on the acquisition of word order and NP- and wh-movement by children and on the null subject phenomenon in child language. Some peculiarities of Italian used by deaf children and children with language disorders will be studied, with special reference to clitic pronouns, noun phrases, and wh-movement constructions.

Chesi, C., Il linguaggio verbale non-standard dei bambini sordi, Edizioni Universitarie Romane, 2006.
Guasti, M.T., Language Acquisition, Second Edition, MIT Press, Cambridge, Mass., 2017: Ch. 4, 5, 6, 7, 10.1-2 (optional: ch. 1).
Guasti, M.T. L'acquisizione del linguaggio, Raffaello Cortina Editore, 2007: Ch. 3.
Jackendoff, R. Linguaggio e natura umana, il Mulino, Bologna, 1998: Ch. 2, 3, 8.
Rizzi, L. "Remarks on early null subjects", In M.-A. Friedemann e L. Rizzi (a cura di), The Acquisition of Syntax, Longman, Harlow, 2000, pp. 269-292
Volpato, F., L. Verin, A. Cardinaletti (2016), The comprehension and production of verbal passives by Italian preschool-age children, Applied Psycholinguistics 37, pp. 901-931
Other readings may be suggested during the course.

Written exam (2 hours), consisting of 10 open-ended questions with the aim of verifying the acquisition of abilities to analyze data coming from studies on first language acquisition and the acquisition of Italian by deaf children and children with language disorders.

written

The lecturer has a duty to ensure that the rules regarding the authenticity and originality of exam tests and papers are respected. Therefore, if there is suspicion of irregular conduct, an additional assessment may be conducted, which could differ from the original exam description.

Each open-ended question is assigned a maximum of 3 points.
3 points: very good knowledge and understanding of the discussed topics; very good ability to analyse linguistic data; very good ability to use sound argumentation and appropriate terminology.
2 punti: good knowledge and understanding of the discussed topics; good ability to analyse linguistic data; good ability to use sound argumentation and appropriate terminology.
1 punto: sufficient knowledge and understanding of the discussed topics; sufficient ability to analyse linguistic data; sufficient ability to use sound argumentation and appropriate terminology.

Cum laude is assigned presence of excellent knowledge and understanding of the discussed topics; excellent ability to analyse linguistic data; excellent ability to use sound argumentation and appropriate terminology.

Face-to-face lessons;
collaborative learning with peers.

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Human capital, health, education" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development