BULGARIAN LANGUAGE

This course is a free choice second Language course. Its main objective is to provide students with basic knowledge of Bulgarian as one of the oldest written Slavic languages. The course will introduce students to the phonological, morphological and syntactic structures of the language and will allow them to comunicate with simple texts. The course will also discuss different aspects of the peculiar evolution of Bulgarian as a Slavic and a Balkan language and will introduce some concepts of hiostrical-comparative linguistics relevant to the study of the older stages of the language.

Knowledge and understanding
Students demonstrate solid knowledge and understanding of the phonological, morphological, syntactic, and lexical structures of the two foreign languages studied (expected proficiency level: between B2 and C1 of the CEFR, depending on the language).

They are familiar with and understand the main processes of historical and cultural development of the studied languages, as well as the principal geographical, social, and cultural varieties.

They have knowledge and understanding of the communicative strategies and usage mechanisms of the Bulgarian language, including its historical, cultural, geographical, and social variation.

Applying knowledge and understanding
Students are able to understand and produce oral and written texts of various types and levels of complexity in the studied languages, placing them in their historical-cultural context and recognizing linguistic varieties and registers.

They are able to interact appropriately in the two foreign languages in both formal and informal communicative contexts, including professional environments (e.g., during internships), showing awareness of relevant cultural and social aspects.

They can make informed and motivated translation choices for texts of medium complexity from and into the studied languages.

They are able to retrieve, select, and use relevant information sources in the studied foreign languages.

As regards Bulgarian, students are able to understand and produce simple oral and written texts, recognizing variation and register, and contextualizing them culturally and historically.

They are able to interact appropriately in Bulgarian in basic communicative situations, including professional and intercultural contexts, taking into account the socio-cultural dimensions of interaction.

Making judgements
Students are able to critically assess texts, communicative situations, and linguistic choices in the studied languages, developing independent reflections on linguistic variants, usage, and context.

Communication skills
They can express themselves clearly, accurately, and with appropriate register in the studied languages, both orally and in writing, adapting the message to the audience and communicative context.

Learning skills
Students demonstrate autonomy in language and cultural learning and ongoing development, including the ability to use digital resources and specialist materials in the languages of study.

There are no prerequisites for this course

This is an annual course which introduces the students to the Bulgarian language, its history and culture both ancient and contemporary. The course consists of a general module of 30 lectures and an assitantship of 120 hours for the practical language, held by a lecturer and a native speaker of Bulgarian.
The 30 hour general course will review the fundamentals of Bulgarian as a Slavic and a Balkan language from both diachronic and synchronic point of view. The program will discuss the basic characteristics of the language, mainly in the area of grammar and syntax. It will be shown how the language has acquired its peculiar Balkan features due to which it holds a special place within the Slavic family.
The practical course of execrises will introduce students to essential nominal and verbal morphology, vocabulary and basic sentence patterns which will enable them, at the end of the course, to produce and comprehend more advanced texts in Bulgarian as well as to comunicate correctly on a daily basis.

Здравейте А1-А2. Куртева, Г, Бумбарова, К., Бъчварова, С. НБУ, София, 2016
Здравейте В1-В2. Куртева, Г, Бумбарова, К., Бъчварова, С. НБУ, София, 2017
Grammatica bulgara. Laskova, V. Hoepli.2013
Dizionario bulgaro. Krapova, I., Hoepli, 2017

The level of acquisition of Bulgarian will be monitored during the course by way of tests, quizes and individual homeworks. The exam will be written and oral. The written exam consists in various exercises, while the oral exam consists in a presentation, in Bulgarian, of a previously decided argument

written and oral

The final grade will be determined based on the following criteria:

Knowledge of theoretical topics (up to 12 points)
Ability to critically analyze theoretical content (up to 5 points)
Clarity and confidence in oral presentation (up to 3 points)
Command of appropriate language use (up to 5 points)
Ability to engage in autonomous and well-structured discussion (up to 5 points)

The maximum score is 30/30. Cum laude may be awarded in the case of an excellent performance in all areas.

Lectures, exercises in class and interactive ones, tests, quizes, and individual homework assignments uploaded in the dedicated platform ezik.bg and on moodle