German Linguistics
Objectives
This curricular unit aims to provide students with explicit knowledge in the field of German linguistics, enabling them to:
a) understand the evolution of the German language and its status in the European context and in the world;
b) master the linguistic analysis tools needed to explain how the German language works;
c) describe linguistic properties of German from a contrastive perspective;
d) characterize linguistic aspects and use resources, according to different registers (informal and formal) and modalities (oral and written) of textual production.
General characterization
Code
01100210
Credits
6.0
Responsible teacher
Maria Rute Vilhena Costa
Hours
Weekly - 4
Total - 168
Teaching language
Portuguese
Prerequisites
N/A
Bibliography
- Fagan, S. (2009). German: A Linguistic Introduction. Iowa: University of Iowa.
- Graefen, G. & Liedke-Göbel, M. (2020). Germanistische Sprachwissenschaft. Deutsch als Erst-, Zweit- oder Fremdsprache. Tübingen: Narr Francke Verlag.
- Hentschel, E. & Harden, T. (2014). Einführung in die Germanistische Linguistik. Bern: Peter Lang AG.
- Hoberg, R. & Hoberg, U. (2017). Gramática de Alemão [Der Kleine Duden: Deutsche Grammatik]. Porto: Porto Editora.
- Russ, C. (1994). The German Language Today: A Linguistic Introduction. London/NY: Routledge.
- Schmid, H. U. (2017). Einführung in die deutsche Sprachgeschichte. Berlin: Springer-Verlag.
Teaching method
Classes are expected to have a theoretical (expository) component and a practical component, including the presentation of content, as well as the analysis of texts and exercises about the content covered. The active participation of each student, individually and in groups, is therefore encouraged in the classroom. Throughout the semester, theoretical and practical tasks will be proposed with the aim of promoting reflection on the use and functioning of the German language, including from a perspective of comparison and contrast with Portuguese.
Evaluation method
Continuous assessment - 2 attendance/written tests (with a weighting of 40% each) with the aim of assessing students' knowledge of the learning outcomes(80%), Individual and/or group work (20%) – to be defined according to the size of the group –, which should correspond to an oral presentation.(20%)
Subject matter
1 Introduction to the history of the German language
1.1 Indo-European and the Germanic languages
1.2 Germanic
1.3 The major dialectal groups
1.4 Periodization of the history of the German language
1.5. The German language around the world – a brief description of its varieties
2. Theoretical and methodological tools for the linguistic description of German
2.1 Aspects of phonetics and phonology
– The sounds of German
– The relationship between pronunciation and writing
2.2 Aspects of morphology
– Word classes
– Word formation
– Inflection
2.3 Syntax and semantics
– Word order
– Topological fields
– The case system
– Types of sentences and types of clauses
– Semantic relations
3. Some relevant textual aspects in German texts
3.1 Textuality; cohesion and coherence mechanisms
3.2 Specific features of DE-PT translations
3.3 Analysis of translated texts to identify and typify frequent errors
3.4 The German language according to mode (written and oral) and register (formal and informal)