ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND COMMUNICATION 3

The course aims to promote the students’ linguistic and communicative competence, with the objective of reaching the C1 level (Effectiveness) of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (C.E.F.R.; http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/linguistic/source/framework_en.pdf). The course will allow students to explore the many ways in which spoken English is used in a variety of media contexts, with particular attention to telecinematic dialogue and media talk.

The course consists of 36 hours of lessons, is held in English and is complemented by the language practice classes taught by the C.E.L. staff (Collaboratori ed Esperti Linguistici). Attendance is not compulsory but strongly recommended.

After an introduction on language variation, the course will focus on the two following topics:

-Telecinematic dialogue, i.e. English spoken in films and TV series, a register which is interesting from a linguistic point of view in that – among other things – it originates in writing but is designed and performed as speech. The analysis of the language of original English films and TV series will be complemented by an investigation of audiovisual translation issues and, specifically, by an examination of dubbing practices from English into Italian.

-Media talk, i.e. English spoken on the radio and on TV. The course will highlight the distinctive linguistic features and trends in contemporary media talk by looking at media environments such as radio phone-in programmes, televised interviews with politicians, news programmes, etc., and also by drawing comparisons with the register of spontaneous conversation.

The topics of the course will be illustrated by means of actual examples taken from films, TV series, radio and TV programmes.

The course is complemented by the language practice classes taught by the C.E.L. staff (Collaboratori ed Esperti Linguistici).

-Kozloff, Sarah. 2000. Overhearing Film Dialogue. Berkeley/Los Angeles/London: University of California Press. Chapter: 1, The functions of dialogue in narrative film, pp. 33-63.

-Zago, Raffaele. 2016. From Originals to Remakes. Colloquiality in English Film Dialogue over Time. Acireale/Roma: Bonanno Editore. Chapter: 2, Features of film dialogue, pp. 55-66.

-Quaglio, Paulo. 2009. Television Dialogue: The Sitcom Friends vs. Natural Conversation. Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins. Chapter: 6, Emotional language, pp. 87-105.

-Chaume, Frederic. 2012. Audiovisual Translation: Dubbing. Manchester: St. Jerome. Chapters:

-1, Translation for dubbing, pp. 1-21;

-5, The language of dubbing: A matter of compromise, pp. 81-99;

-7, Translation issues, pp. 120-157.

-O’Keeffe, Anne. 2006. Investigating Media Discourse. London/New York: Routledge. Chapters:

-1, Introduction, pp. 1-13;

-4, Managing the discourse, pp. 62-89;

-5, Creating and sustaining pseudo-relationships, pp. 90-126.

Suggested readings:

-Biber, Douglas et al. 1999. Longman Grammar of Spoken and Written English. London: Longman. Suggested chapter: 14, The grammar of conversation.

-Pavesi, Maria. 2005. La traduzione filmica. Aspetti del parlato doppiato dall’inglese all’italiano. Roma: Carocci.

-Tolson, Andrew. 2006. Media Talk. Spoken Discourse on TV and Radio. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press. Suggested chapters: from 3 to 9.

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 syllabus can be consulted in the Library.