| CODE | FRE2014 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Linguistique théorique 2: linguistique fondamentale/ Theory in Linguistics 2: Fundamental Linguistics | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | French | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | Cette unité comporte plusieurs composantes. La première partie est dédiée à la contribution de Ferdinand de Saussure à la linguistique moderne, et trace le parcours qui a mené vers le développement de la linguistique structurale. Les notions d’arbitraire et de linéarité du signe, et les autres caractéristiques qui définissent le signe linguistique, sont élaborées. Une distinction est faite entre langue et parole et entre axe syntagmatique et axe paradigmatique. Dans la deuxième partie, la théorie de Lucien Tesnière sur la valence des verbes est étudiée en détail, suivie par les notions de phrase minimale et de phrase achevée. L’analyse en constituants immédiats est pratiquée en profondeur. L’unité entreprend ensuite un changement de direction pour aborder des courants linguistiques plus modernes, que l’on contrastera avec la linguistique structurale par leur attention portée au sens et à l’importance de la situation de communication. En particulier, la théorie des Actes de langage (Austin / Searle) est exposée, avec ses notions d’actes locutoires, illocutoires et perlocutoires, et une définition de la notion de « force illocutoire ». Les actes constatifs sont contrastés aux actes performatifs, et les actes directs aux actes indirects. La théorie des fonctions de la communication (R. Jakobson) est expliquée, et les rôles des mots phatiques et des régulateurs sont illustrés à travers des exemples. La travail de cette unité comporte des réflexions et de la pratique sur plusieurs langues, y compris le français, l’anglais, le maltais et l’italien, selon les connaissances linguistiques communes des étudiants présents. This unit is made up of different components. The first part focuses on Ferdinand de Saussure’s contribution to modern linguistics, and follows the path which led to the development of Structural Linguistics. The notions of Signifiant / Signifié (Signifier / Signified) are explained, as well as the arbitrary nature of the linguistic sign. A distinction is made between langue and parole and between the syntagmatic and paradigmatic relationships between words. In the second part, Lucien Tesnière’s theory of verb valency is studied in detail, followed by the notions of main and secondary phrasal constituents. Immediate constituent analysis is practised. The unit then takes a turn to deal with more modern Linguistic theory, which is contrasted with Structural Linguistics by its consideration of the importance of meaning and of the communicative situation. In particular, this last component of the unit dwells upon Speech act theory (Austin / Searle), with its notions of locutionary, illocutionary and perlocutionary acts, and a definition of “illocutionary force”. Performative verbs are contrasted with constatives, and direct with indirect acts of speech. R. Jakobson’s theory of communicative functions is explained, and the role of discourse markers and back-channelling is illustrated through examples. The content of this unit involves reflection and practice in different languages, mainly French, Maltese, English and Italian, depending on the common languages of the students. Learning Outcomes: - The student will learn that there are a certain number of notions which are common to most languages, independently from the family tree they belong to; - The student will be able to elaborate on the characteristics of the linguistic sign; - The student will learn to distinguish between langue, parole and langage; - The student will realize that a given language can be dealt with from a scientific point of view; - The student will be able to analyse sentence structure and represent it graphically, both according to the verb valency model and according to immediate constituent analysis; - The student will be able to describe scientifically the fundamentals governing several languages, notwithstanding their different ways of expression; - The student will be able to contrast basic principles of structural linguistics and pragmatics; - The student will be able to define and give examples of illocutionary and perlocutionary acts, illocutionary force, performatives and constatives, discourse markers and back-channelling. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Baylon Ch., Fabre P., Initiation à la linguistique, 2e éd. , Armand Colin, 2005. - Chiss, J.-L., Filliolet, J. & Maingueneau, D., Introduction à la linguistique française, Hachette Supérieur, 2017. - Essono, J.-M., Précis de linguistique générale, L’Harmattan, 1998. - Fuchs, C. & Le Goffic, P., Les linguistiques contemporaines, Hachette Supérieur, 1992. - De Saussure, F., Cours de linguistique générale. Payot, 1985. - Schott-Bourget, V., Approches de la linguistique, Nathan Université, 1994. - Zufferey, S. & Moeschler, J., Initiation à la linguistique française, Armand Colin, 2015. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Pre-requisite Qualification: Grade C or better at Matsec Advanced Level (or B2 level) | ||||||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Anne Marie Bezzina |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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