ITALIAN SIGN LANGUAGE - LIS
Academic year and teacher
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- Versione italiana
- Academic year
- 2021/2022
- Teacher
- CHIARA BRANCHINI
- Credits
- 6
- Didactic period
- Primo Semestre
- SSD
- L-LIN/01
Training objectives
- Main objective of the course is to develop the awareness of the linguistic similarities and differences between spoken and sign languages. The course aims at stimulating the metalinguistic knowledge of Italian Sign Language (LIS), in the phonological, morphological and syntactic domain, in a comparative perspective with Italian, spoken and sign languages. Furthermore, the course aims at developing the basic grammatical and lexical competence of LIS.
Knowledge and understanding:
The student understands the functional equivalent of the phonology, morphology and syntax of sign languages and of LIS, in particular.
The student knows the basic terminology of the phonology, morphology and syntax of LIS.
The student knows and understands the processes of LIS and is able to compare them with those of other sign and spoken languages.
The student knows the diachronic lexical variation and understands the phonological phenomena of sociolinguistic variation of LIS.
The student knows the basic lexicon and grammar of LIS.
2. Applying knowledge and understanding:
The student is able to adequately use the terminology concerning the phonology, morphology and syntax of LIS.
The student recognizes and describes the basic elements of the phonology, morphology and syntax of LIS and its phenomena.
The student is able to provide concrete examples of the basic phonological, morphological and syntactic units and phenomena.
The student understands and produces basic communicative interactions in Italian Sign Language concerning everyday life situations in different contexts (family, work, study, free time).
3. Making judgments:
The student is able to express grammatical judgments on simple signs and basic grammatical structures of LIS.
The student is able to find the bibliographical references the professor indicates.
4. Communication:
The student is able to describe the main differences between vocal and sign languages by using the specific terminology and s/he is, furthermore, able to argue in favor of the linguistic status of sign languages.
The student is able to describe the basic phonological, morphological and syntactic properties of LIS by discussing concrete linguistic examples.
The student shows to be able to interact with the peers, the professor and the tutor in a critical and respectful way.
The student is able to interact in LIS in basic communicative situations.
5. Learning skills:
The student is able to take notes and participates actively in class.
The student is able to apply the method of critical thinking and cross-linguistic comparison.
The student is able to consult the literature present in the texts and articles indicated by the professor. Prerequisites
- No prerequisite is required for this course.
Course programme
- Theoretical module -
False believes on sign languages
Deafness and language acquisition
Italian Sign Language and civil rights
Sign language and education
The development of sign languages
The linguistic status of sign languages
The phonology of Italian Sign Language
The morphology of Italian Sign Language
The syntax of Italian Sign Language
Declarative, negative and interrogative sentences in Italian Sign Language
Subordination in Italian Sign Language
Bimodal bilinguals
The culture of the Italian Deaf community: theatre, poetry, cinema
Sign Language in language communication disorders
Linguistic practice -
1. How to introduce oneself
Manual alphabet
Personal pronouns
Dual pronouns
Possessive pronouns
2. Cardinal numbers
3. Declarative, negative and interrogative sentences
The aspectual marker DONE
4. How to ask and respond about personal origins
Means of transportation
5. Activities: CVG, finger and face exercises
6. Shape descriptions Didactic methods
- Lectures and class discussion.
Linguistic practice (both individually and in groups).
An extensive range of video recorded linguistic material will be used. Learning assessment procedures
- Students will be evaluated through three different stages: 1) a written examination consisting of about 8 open questions/exercises aiming at verifying the ability to apply and connect the knowledge acquired during the theoretical module as well as the student’s use of the specific terminology adopted during the theoretical module, 2) a written examination aiming at verifying the linguistic comprehension of LIS, and 3) an oral examination aiming at verifying the basic communicative competence developed in LIS.
In order to be able to take the oral production examination, the student will have to pass the written examination about linguistic comprehension. To pass the course, the student must pass the three stages of the final examination. The final score is the mean of the three scores obtained during the three examinations described above. Reference texts
- Theoretical module -
Russo Cardona T., Volterra V. (a cura di), Le lingue dei segni. Storia e Semiotica
Caselli M.C., Maragna S., Volterra V. 2006. Linguaggio e sordità. Gesti, segni e parole nello sviluppo e nell'educazione. Bologna: Il Mulino. Solo il capitolo 1
A Grammar of Italian Sign Language. 2020. C. Branchini e L. Mantovan (a cura di) Edizioni Ca’ Foscari. https://edizionicafoscari.unive.it/libri/978-88-6969-474-5/ Only a selection of the chapters will be indicated.
Linguistic practice -
The teacher will make available video materiale and articles in electronic format
