ITALIAN SIGN LANGUAGE

The course of Italian Sign Language (LIS) is one of the core subjects of the Master's Degree program in Language Sciences and in Translation and Interpreting. The course includes year-long language practice sessions (held in Venice for Language Sciences and in Treviso for Translation and Interpreting) and a theoretical module, which takes place in the first semester.
The general objectives of the course are: acquiring advanced communicative skills in LIS, deepening the understanding of pragmatic and discursive phenomena in LIS, and developing basic techniques for conscious translation from LIS to Italian and vice versa.

1. Knowledge and understanding:
- understanding complex texts in LIS of different types and genres;
- knowledge of the lexical, grammatical, pragmatic, and textual elements that can be used to analyze advanced texts in LIS;
- knowledge of the different dimensions of linguistic variation characterizing LIS.

2. Applying knowledge and understanding:
- implementation of the acquired knowledge to understand and analyze complex texts in LIS of different types and registers;
- use of the correct terminology in the description of linguistic phenomena in LIS;
- comparison of linguistic structures of LIS and Italian to be able to plan adequate translation strategies.

3. Making judgements:
- making judgments on the well-formedness of linguistic data on the basis of metalinguistic considerations;
- evaluation of different translation strategies considering the communicative intent and analyzing LIS and Italian structures cross-linguistically;
- capacity to find bibliographical references autonomously.

4. Communication:
- clear, accurate, and fluent interaction in LIS in advanced communicative contexts;
- description of linguistic analyses of texts in LIS and cross-linguistic comparisons (LIS/Italian) by means of argumentative strategies and correct terminology;
- interaction with peers, professor and tutor in a critical and respectful way.

5. Learning skills:
- implementation of cross-linguistic comparisons and translation techniques;
- use of technological tools to realize translations from and to LIS and prepare audiovisual materials in an accessible format;
- selection of bibliographical references and electronic resources in the field of LIS linguistics.

This course is intended for advanced students (i.e. students who have attended a three-year course in LIS).

The MA course in LIS is divided into two parts: a one-semester theoretical module and a year-round language practice course ("esercitazioni").

Theoretical module. The module consists of two parts:
1) description of pragmatic and discourse phenomena of LIS: referentiality and reference chains, discourse analysis, mechanisms of textual cohesion and coherence, use of space at discourse level, figurative language, linguistic registers, communicative interaction;
2) cross-linguistic comparison between LIS and Italian and translation strategies. Students will learn basic translation techniques: e.g. technical aspects and accessibility, comparison between sequential and simultaneous linguistic strategies, the impact of modality effects on Italian<>LIS translation, lexical and syntactic ambiguity, approaches to translation, development of paraphrasing skills, and analysis of translation strategies.

Language practice. The native-signing tutor will present exercises aimed at developing advanced linguistic skills.

Theoretical module:
- notes of the lectures and study material provided by the professor (everything will be available in electronic format in the Moodle virtual classroom);
- Calderone C., Cecchetto C. & Mantovan L. (2022). PARTE 6. Pragmatica. In Branchini C. & L. Mantovan (eds.), Grammatica della lingua dei segni italiana (LIS). Venezia: Edizioni Ca' Foscari;
- Winston, E. & C. Roy. 2015. Discourse analysis and sign languages. In A. Schembri & C. Lucas (eds.) Sociolinguistics and Deaf Communities. Cambridge University Press. 95-119;
- Celo, P. (ed). 2015. I segni del tradurre. Riflessioni sulla traduzione in lingua dei segni italiana. Ariccia: Aracne;
- Fontana, S. 2013. Tradurre Lingue dei Segni. Modena: Mucchi. —> only Chapter 4, 107-126;
- Danese, L. 2011. La traduzione dall’italiano alla LIS: proposta di accessibilità dei contenuti turistici e culturali. In A. Cardinaletti, C. Cecchetto e C. Donati (eds.), Grammatica, lessico e dimensioni di variazione nella LIS. Milano: Franco Angeli, 231-245;
- Bertone C. (ed). 2013. Pinocchio in LIS. Venezia: Edizioni Cafoscarina, 9-54.

Language practice:
- lecture notes;
- further study material may be suggested by the tutor during classes.

The exam related to language practice, consisting of a written comprehension test and an oral production test, is designed to evaluate advanced-level proficiency in LIS. The written comprehension test consists of three exercises: the first two involve watching a video in LIS, followed by ten open-ended questions aimed at assessing comprehension; the third exercise requires matching ten Italian sentences with their equivalent LIS translations in a multiple-choice format. The oral production test consists of an interview in LIS based on the content covered in the language practice course, aimed at assessing sign articulation, signing fluency, lexical and morphosyntactic accuracy, and interactional competence.


The exam related to the theoretical module consists in the realization of a 8-page individual research paper. It should deal with the topics discussed in class and it should include: i) discourse analysis, ii) a comparative analysis between LIS and Italian, iii) a translation accompanied by a critical analysis of the adopted translation techniques. An oral interview in LIS on the content of the paper is also required.

written and oral

Successful completion of the final course assessment requires passing all three parts. Each part is graded on a 30-point scale (out of 30).
The grade for the language practice component is the average of the comprehension and production tests. The final overall grade is the average of the language practice grade and the theoretical module grade. Honors (cum laude) may be awarded in cases of outstanding performance across all parts.

1) Written Comprehension Test: each correct answer is worth 1 point in all three exercises: Exercise 1: maximum 10 points, Exercise 2: maximum 10 points, Exercise 3: maximum 10 points
2) Oral Production Test: accurate articulation of signs: up to 8 points, Prosody and fluency: up to 6 points, Lexical accuracy: up to 8 points, Morphosyntactic accuracy: up to 8 points
3) Theoretical Module Assessment:
– Written Assignment, Part I (theoretical knowledge and discourse analysis skills): Discourse analysis: up to 7 points, Comparative analysis (Italian/LIS): up to 3 points
– Written Assignment, Part II: Accuracy, equivalence, appropriateness, usability in translation, and critical analysis of translation choices: up to 10 points
– Oral Examination: Clarity, presentation skills, and command of specialized terminology: up to 10 points

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

Classes are held in LIS.
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