Spring 2006

ITL 396K • Grammaticalization processes in Italian

Unique	Days	Time	Location	Instructor
35716	TTh	3:30 PM-5:00 PM	PAR 8C	RUSSI, C

Course Description

After an introductory discussion on grammaticalization (a general diachronic process of morphosyntactic change by which linguistic forms undergo a more or less substantial loss of syntactic independence accompanied by increase of their grammatical function), this course will examine specific grammaticalization processes pertaining to the following:

Definite articles

Future and conditional; compound tenses

Verbs of motion

The clitic pronouns system

In addition, this course will discuss how grammaticalization stands with respect to and is viewed within traditional (generative based) diachronic linguistics, focusing on two issues which have raised controversy (mostly, although not exclusively, among grammaticalization 'opponents'): (1) the unidirectionality (i.e. irreversibility) of grammaticalization processes, and (2) whether grammaticalization can be considered independently motivated or simply represents an epiphenomenal process.

Grading Policy

Class discussion of reading assignments (25%)

Research paper proposal with annotated bibliography (20%)

Final research paper (40%)

Oral presentations (15%)

Texts

Readings packet. (required)

Heine, Bernd, Ulrike Claudi and Friederike Hünnemeyer. 1991. Grammaticalization: A conceptual framework. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. (on reserve)

Hopper, Paul, & Elizabeth C. Traugott. 1993. Grammaticalization. Cambridge: CUP. (on reserve)

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