ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND COMMUNICATION 2

The target level of linguistic competence envisaged is B2 within the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. This course aims at consolidating the acquisition of structures and skills and it is also meant to provide the students with effective tools for linguistic analysis and an awareness of competent language usage.

The linguistic structures and skills will be useful in approaching contemporary UK society and culture.

The course is divided into three main parts: a first part concerning the linguistic analysis from a pragmatic point of view and the use of English in some specific fields, together with some elements of historical linguistics; a second part concerning the basics of Media Studies and lastly a third part concerning the practice of translation. In every case it is fundamental that the students actively participate by using some worksheets and texts provided by the teacher throughout the course through the platform Studium.

During the academic year, language classes constitute an integral part of the coursework.

An intermediate test is scheduled.

At the end of the course, the students will sit for an oral test and will hand in a translation of a text with a commentary.

• Culpeper J, et al, 2009, English Language. Description, Variation and Context, Basingstoke, Palgrave MacMillan:

Part 1 English Structures

Phonology: beyond the segment

Text linguistics

Pragmatics

Part 2 English: History

Phonological change

Part 3 English Speech: Regional and social variation

Regional variation in English accents and dialects

Part 4 English Writing: Style, Genre and Practice

Speech, writing and discourse type

Language in Newspapers

Language in Advertisement

Language in literature: Stylistics

• Mc Dougall J., 2012, Media Studies , London, Routledge:

Studying Media

Reading Media

Powerful Media

Global Media

Changing Media

• Baker M., 2011, In Other Words, London, Routledge:

Textual equivalence: thematic and information structures

Textual equivalence: cohesion

Pragmatic equivalence.

The reference grammar books and the texts to be used for the language instruction classes will be communicated immediately after the entrance test on the basis of level of competence and assigned group.

Recommended dictionaries:

Collins Cobuild Dictionary for Advanced Learners, London: Collins last edition (with How to use the Dictionary, Collins ELT, London); Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English (with cd-rom), London, Longaman, last edition; A.S. Hornby, Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, Oxford, Oxforde University Press, last edition; Cambridge Learner Advanced Dictionary (with cd-rom), Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, last edition; MacMillan English Dictionary, New Edition, Oxford, MacMillan, last edition; Ragazzini, Dizionario Inglese-Italiano, Italiano-Inglese, Zanichelli, last edition.