ITALIAN SIGN LANGUAGE

The course of Italian Sign Language (LIS) is one of the core subjects of the Master's Degree programs in Language Sciences and in Specialized Translation: Multimedia and Accessibility. The course includes year-long language practice sessions (held in Venice for Language Sciences and in Treviso for Specialized Translation: Multimedia and Accessibility) and a theoretical module, which takes place in Venice 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;
Case studies:
- Bertone C. (ed). 2013. Pinocchio in LIS. Venezia: Edizioni Cafoscarina, 9-54;
- Grioli G., Lerose L. (2015). Stella. Siena: MPFD.


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

The language practice assessments (a written comprehension test and an oral production test) are designed to evaluate advanced-level proficiency in LIS.

1a) Language practice – Language Sciences (12 CFU):
The written comprehension test consists of three exercises. The first two involve watching videos in LIS, followed by ten open-ended questions, aimed at assessing comprehension. The third exercise requires matching ten sentences in Italian with their equivalent sentences in LIS through a multiple-choice task.
The oral production test consists of an interview in LIS based on the lettorato syllabus and is aimed at assessing sign articulation, fluency, lexical and morphosyntactic accuracy, and interactional skills.

1b) Language practice – Specialized Translation: Multimedia and Accessibility (6 CFU):
The written comprehension test consists of two exercises, both based on videos in LIS. After a single viewing of the first video, students will answer five questions in Italian, providing detailed responses. After a double viewing of the second video, students will be asked to produce a concise written summary of the content presented by the instructor, divided into four parts. Both exercises will focus on the topics covered during language practice.

2a) Theoretical module – Language Sciences (12 CFU): the test consists of the production of an individual research paper (maximum 8 pages) based on a selected video in LIS. The paper must include: (a) discourse analysis, and (b) translation from LIS into Italian, accompanied by a critical discussion of the translation choices. An oral examination in LIS with the instructor is also required, focusing on both the contents of the paper and the course.

2a) Theoretical module – Specialized Translation: Multimedia and Accessibility (6 CFU): the test consists of the production of an individual research paper (maximum 5 pages) based on a selected video in LIS. The paper must include the translation from LIS into Italian of the video, accompanied by a critical discussion of the translation choices. An oral examination in LIS with the instructor is also required, focusing on both the contents of the paper and the course.

written and oral

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.

Successful completion of the final course assessment requires passing all three parts. 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.

1a) Language practice – Scienze del Linguaggio (Venice):
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
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

1b) Language practice – Specialized Translation: Multimedia and Accessibility (Treviso):
Written Comprehension Test: in Exercise 1, each correct answer is worth 2 points (max. 10 points); in Exercise 2, each correct answer is worth 5 points (max. 20 points)
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

2) Theoretical Module Assessment:
– Written Assignment, Discourse analysis: Theoretical knowledge, discourse analysis skills (up to 10 points, only for Language Sciences);
– Written Assignment, Translation: Accuracy, equivalence, appropriateness, usability in translation, and critical analysis of translation choices: (up to 10 points for Language Sciences; up to 20 points for Specialized Translation: Multimedia and Accessibility);
– Oral Examination: Clarity, presentation skills, and command of specialized terminology (up to 10 points both for Language Sciences and Specialized Translation: Multimedia and Accessibility).

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