54
French Language and Translation
UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI NAPOLI "L'ORIENTALE"
Overview
Date/time interval
Syllabus
Course Objectives
EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Consistent with the educational objectives of the study courses for which it is offered, in the area of linguistics and translation, the course aims to provide students with knowledge of linguistic, textual, pragmatic and enunciative aspects of the French language.
As far as language skills are concerned, the course aims first and foremost to enhance argumentative skills in French, both in written and oral production. From a methodological point of view, the course aims to provide students with the tools to study a particular textual typology, political discourse, from a corpus of authentic texts. At the end of the course, the student must demonstrate that he/she understands the communicative structure of the texts analysed in the classroom and is familiar with the mechanisms of information analysis, being able to identify the salient aspects of a political text (e.g. text structure, argumentative and discursive strategies). The course thus aims to provide the basic tools in French for linguistic and discursive analysis, commentary and critical evaluation of French institutional texts and socio-political speeches.
A part of the course is also dedicated to developing the ability to translate medium-complex texts, mainly from French into Italian, including analysis of syntactic-stylistic junctures.
CAPABILITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
Consistent with the linguistic objectives of the Study Courses for which it is intended, the course enables students to develop advanced skills in the comprehension and production of the French language, both in written and oral form. In particular, the course aims at enhancing the ability to critically and thoroughly analyse complex authentic materials, such as political speeches, journalistic articles and audiovisual content, with a focus on the different textual genres of argumentative discourse.
Through the acquisition of methodological tools for linguistic and textual analysis, they/they will be able to understand and produce medium-specialist texts in French, also in contrastive perspective with Italian. The translation activity, focused on texts characterised by syntactic-stylistic difficulties, favours the consolidation of linguistic skills and the deepening of the cultural, rhetorical and genre conventions of French-speaking texts.
It also enables the student to identify and interpret cultural references implicit in texts (such as presuppositions, allusions and stereotypes), to write in a manner appropriate to different communicative contexts and to adapt his/her speech to the specific conventions of textual genre.
The student will be able to apply the four language skills - listening, speaking, reading and writing - in an integrated and harmonious manner at an advanced level. He/she will be able to understand and produce texts in French on literary, historical, political and current affairs topics, actively participating in discussions with appropriate language, solid argumentative structures and a communicative style consistent with the context.
In addition, he/she will be able to apply linguistic analysis tools to specialised texts, particularly on socio-political topics, recognising the linguistic variations determined by register, subject area and context of use. He/she will also acquire the ability to understand, comment on and translate these types of texts, making conscious use of the analytical tools provided.
In the written and oral assessment, the student will have to demonstrate the ability to apply with mastery the morphosyntactic, discursive and stylistic structures of the French language, as well as to possess solid translation skills from French (L2) to Italian (L1).
FURTHER EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES
JUDGEMENT AUTONOMY
At the end of the course the student will be able to critically evaluate linguistic choices in texts considering pragmatic, sociolinguistic and cultural aspects. They will develop autonomous judgements on linguistic and communicative issues, based on established theories and methodologies. They will reflect critically on language learning, identifying strengths and areas for improvement in their own learning.
COMMUNICATIVE SKILLS
The student will be able to express him/herself orally and in writing in a clear, articulate and coherent manner, using registers appropriate to the context. He/she will be able to sustain a complex argumentative discourse, formulating structured opinions supported by theoretical and practical references. Can communicate effectively with specialist and non-specialist speakers, demonstrating intercultural sensitivity and awareness of linguistic differences.
LEARNING SKILLS
The student is expected to develop solid independent learning skills, indispensable for the continuation of studies and for continuous updating in the field of French language and linguistics. In particular, he/she will be able to consult specialist literature in a critical and focused manner, to select and use reliable sources, including databases and digital resources, and to construct relevant bibliographies for in-depth thematic study.
He/she should acquire the ability to integrate new knowledge with that already acquired, placing it within a complex interdisciplinary framework. They will be encouraged to develop materials and pathways of a didactic and popular nature, also with a view to the future transmission of knowledge.
Teaching also aims to promote self-assessment and the development of personal and collaborative learning strategies, fostering awareness of the importance of lifelong learning. The student will be able to take an active part in lessons and language exercises, to use the in-depth study tools provided and to refine a personal method of study oriented towards improving language skills and continuous updating on topics of cultural, linguistic and global relevance.
Finally, they must acquire the autonomy necessary to pursue the study of French language and linguistics in a self-directed manner, developing the ability to analyse specialised texts and to participate consciously in academic and professional discussions.
Course Prerequisites
To address the contents of the course, the student must have advanced level linguistic skills and abilities (at least level B2 of the CEFR); knowledge of the fundamental notions of metalinguistic analysis is also necessary. Additional materials useful before taking the course are available on the Moodle classroom established by the CdS MLC (https://elearning.unior.it/course/view.php?id=4018 – The password will be provided by the teacher on the personal page).
PROPEDEUTICALITY
No prerequisites.
Teaching Methods
The course includes frontal and interactive lessons by the teacher, aimed at guiding students in learning the topics studied. The lessons, held by the teacher in French and with a communicative approach, will promote comprehension, reading skills, written and oral expression. During these lessons, not only the theoretical basis for the analysis of political texts is provided, but work is also carried out on understanding, translation and structural and stylistic analysis of the texts. The active participation of students in the study of these texts is therefore expected.
The texts analyzed and translated will be the subject of discussion during the oral exam, in order to verify the ability to put into practice the theoretical knowledge acquired.
The lessons are to be integrated with the annual exercises of readership, to be considered an integral part of the course itself. Attendance at the course and exercises, although not mandatory, is strongly recommended.
During the academic year, students are offered the opportunity to attend conferences and seminars held both by French language and literature teachers from the Department of Literary, Linguistic and Comparative Studies and by scholars from the French-speaking world hosted at the University, on topics related to the subjects covered in the course.
Assessment Methods
The exam is divided into: Written and oral test.
The written test includes a synthèse, aimed at verifying the acquisition and correct use of the main morphosyntactic structures of the French language. The use of a monolingual and bilingual dictionary is permitted in the written test.
The written test is preparatory to the oral test, in which students must be able to present the issues covered in the course and comment on the translations made (which must be presented during the exam).
Attending students are required to write an optional essay on the part concerning political discourse, according to methods that will be indicated during the course.
Only after passing the written and oral test of the first year of French Language and Linguistics, will it be possible to take the language test scheduled for the second year.
Language in which the exam is held: French
Evaluation criteria: The final assessment, expressed in thirtieths, aims to ascertain the level of acquisition of the linguistic and metalinguistic knowledge and skills developed during the course. Several aspects will be taken into account, including the mastery of the French language, assessed in terms of correctness, fluency and appropriateness of register, as well as the ability to use metalinguistic terminology appropriately. The degree of knowledge and thoroughness of the reference bibliography will also be assessed, along with the completeness and accuracy of the exposition of the topics addressed in the course. A central element of the assessment will be the student's ability to rework the course content in a critical, personal and structured manner, demonstrating autonomy of judgement and awareness in linguistic reflection.in the final evaluation is the ability to personally and structured re-elaborate the course topics.
Texts
§ GOUADEC, Profession traducteur, Paris, La Maison du dictionnaire, 2e éd., 2009 (solo le parti I e III).
§ R. AMOSSY, L’argumentation dans le discours, Paris, Colin, 2012.
§ C. ALDUY, Ce qu’ils disent vraiment. Les politiques pris aux mots, Paris, Seuil, 2017 (solo Introduction, Première partie, più un capitolo a scelta della Deuxième partie).
§ Dossiers of speeches to be analysed for the oral examination, which will be provided during the course.
§ Texts for translation, which will be provided during the course [translations are to be presented and discussed during the oral examination].
Recommended and in-depth texts
§ BIDAUD Françoise, Grammaire du français pour italophones, Torino, Utet, 2012.
§ BIDAUD Françoise, Traduire le français aujourd’hui, Torino, Utet, 2014.
Contents
Course Title: Textual problems and translation
Topics:
1. Political discourse;
2 Critical Discourse Analysis;
3. Enunciation strategies in political discourse;
4. Argumentation strategies in political discourse;
5. Rhetorical strategies in political discourse;
6. Translation strategies in socio-political texts.
Course Language
French