Università Roma Tre

The main objective of this course is to introduce students into the study of the theory and methods of General Linguistics – a subject having a crucial importance in the relevant “Corso di Laurea Triennale”, with particular focus on syntax. To this purpose, the basic notions of formal linguistics are illustrated – though at an elementary level, integrating theory with the discussion of examples and class exercises.
In particular, this B Part will deal with the following topics:
- Linguistic universals. Principles and Parameters.
- Categories and Functions; the notion of “word”.
- Syntactic analysis: constituency tests, phrase structure, phrasal heads, the head-complement parameter.
- Interfaces: interaction between syntax and the other levels of the grammar (lexicon, semantics, morphology and pragmatics)
- Verb valency. Arguments vs. adjuncts; argument roles.
- Sentential structure; clausal types; null and expletive subject.
- Basic notions of pragmatics, Speech acts; Information structure.
- Major language families, genealogic classification of languages and their origin.
- Typological classification; morphologic and syntactic typology. Comparative analysis. Ergativity.

The M-Z course will be held by a different professor (to be defined), with the same program.

- Frascarelli, M., F. Ramaglia e B. Corpina (2012) Elementi di sintassi. Caissa Italia – Roma/Cesena. Chapters: Introduction, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, Appendix (excluding the paragraphs indicated with a grey background in the Table of Contents)
- Crystal, D. (1993) Enciclopedia Cambridge delle scienze del linguaggio, P.M. Bertinetto (ed.), Zanichelli, Bologna (Part IX: pp. 283-327 - specific material will be provided on this part of the program.