Contemporary English

The course aims to reinforce students’ linguistic and communicative competences in English, with the hope of accompanying them to level C2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

The 36 hours in the teaching room (the total of the two modules, each of 18 hours) will take place over 18 classes of two hours' duration according to the timetable established at the beginning of the firt semester. The subject is "annual", but the hope is to conclude classes by the end of the first semester.

Teaching will be in English and the course is organized in two modules.

MODULE A represents one third of the course (six of the eighteen classes) and will involve consideration and analysis (close reading) of a series of texts provided specifically for (and in advance of) each meeting, each an example of written or spoken contemporary English, each coming from a different domain – mass media (print and broadcast), literature, translation, academia, international communication. Some attention will be given to some basic instruments of critical discourse analysis.

MODULE B represents the remaining two thirds of the course (12 classes) and will be dedicated to literary translation with particular emphasis on Italian texts translated into English. Translation Studies will be presented as a multi- and interdisciplinary approach that can provide instruments useful in helping to understand the natures and the purposes of the various expressions of contemporary English.

The course also envisages 50 hours of English language concluding with a written examination that must be passed before the final examination.

1. Jakobson, Roman 1959, “On Linguistic Aspects of Translation”, originally published in Fang, Achilles and Reuben A. Brower (eds), On Translation, Boston: Harvard University Press, but the brief essay is also widely available on the internet, for example, here: http://ls-tlss.ucl.ac.uk/course-materials/ELCS6078_73700.pdf

2. Gee, James Paul 2011, How to Do Critical Discourse Analysis: A Toolkit, London: Routledge.

3. Wright, Chantal 2016, Literary Translation, London: Routledge

Please remember that in compliance with art 171 L22.04.1941, n. 633 and its amendments, it is illegal to copy entire books or journals, only 15% of their content can be copied.

For further information on sanctions and regulations concerning photocopying please refer to the regulations on copyright (Linee Guida sulla Gestione dei Diritti d’Autore) provided by AIDRO - Associazione Italiana per i Diritti di Riproduzione delle opere dell’ingegno (the Italian Association on Copyright).

All the books listed in the programs can be consulted in the Library.