Semitic Philology
Academic Year 2022/2023 - Teacher:
MARCO MORIGGI
Expected Learning Outcomes
1) Knowledge of the geographical and historical contexts housing the
most important testimonies of Semitic languages; 2) groundings of Semitic
linguistics in comparative perspective (phonology, morphology, syntax); 3) knowledge
of the main research trends in the scholarly discussion on Afro-Asiatic
languages; 4) knowledge of the most important script typologies used for
Semitic languages. (Dublin Descriptors 1-5 in 1st cycle qualification).
Course Structure
Class lectures
Required Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of the geography of Eastern Mediterranean and Near Eastern areas. Basic knowledge of general linguistics.
Attendance of Lessons
Optional
Detailed Course Content
Semitic linguistics: history of scholarship, a geographical and
historical overview of
Semitic languages, models of classification of Semitic languages. The
Afro-Asiatic languages. Scripts of Semitic languages.
Textbook Information
- G. Goldenberg, Semitic
Languages: Features, Structures, Relations, Processes (Oxford:
Oxford University Press, 2012), pp. 1-57.
- G. Garbini, O. Durand, Introduzione alle lingue semitiche (Brescia:
Paideia, 1994), pp. 153-176.
-
J. Huehnergard, ‘Akkadian ḫ and West Semitic *ḥ’, in L. Kogan (ed.), Studia Semitica (Moscow: Russian State
University for the Humanities, 2003), pp. 102-119.
-
S. Moscati et l., An introduction to the
comparative grammar of the Semitic languages. Phonology and morphology
(Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz, 1964), pp. 22-24, 43-47, 49-67, 69-77, 84-89, 91-96,
102, 106-107, 112-113, 115-118, 121-129, 131-134, 137-139, 145-147.
-
F.A. Pennacchietti, ‘Ripercussioni sintattiche in conseguenza dell’introduzione
dell’articolo determinativo proclitico in semitico’, «Aula Orientalis» 23
(2005), pp. 175-184.
All
the texts listed in the program can be found on the STUDIUM web platform
(access reserved to students).
Course Planning
| | Subjects | Text References |
|---|
| 1 | Introduction to Semitic languages: geography and history. | Goldenberg 2012 |
| 2 | Semitic Philology: typological unity of Semitic languages; the origin of Semitic studies. | Goldenberg 2012 |
| 3 | Scripts of Semitic languages: logographic script and the alphabet | Goldenberg 2012 |
| 4 | Scripts of Semitic languages: abugida and Ethio-semitic languages. The classification of the Semitic languages. | Goldenberg 2012 |
| 5 | Comparative grammar of Semitic languages: phonology. | Moscati et al. 1964 |
| 6 | Comparative grammar of Semitic languages: phonology. | Moscati et al. 1964 |
| 7 | Comparative grammar of Semitic languages: phonology. | Moscati et al. 1964 - Huehnergard 2003 |
| 8 | Comparative grammar of Semitic languages: morphology. | Moscati et al. 1964 |
| 9 | Comparative grammar of Semitic languages: morphology. | Moscati et al. 1964 |
| 10 | Comparative grammar of Semitic languages: morphology. | Moscati et al. 1964 |
| 11 | Comparative grammar of Semitic languages: morphology. | Moscati et al. 1964 |
| 12 | Comparative grammar of Semitic languages: syntax. | Pennacchietti 2005 |
| 13 | Comparative grammar of Semitic languages: syntax. | Pennacchietti 2005 |
| 14 | Comparative grammar of Semitic languages: syntax. | Pennacchietti 2005 |
| 15 | Classification of Semitic languages: Brockelmann's model | Goldenberg 2012 |
| 16 | Classification of Semitic languages: Hetzron's model | Goldenberg 2012 |
| 17 | Afroasiatic languages | Garbini-Durand 1994 |
| 18 | Afroasiatic languages | Garbini-Durand 1994 |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
Written examination will consist in answering 3 questions (max. 600
words for each answer). Exams’
typology may be subject to change according to emergencies and/or other
concurring events. The right chronological and geographical setting of the
contents of the answers will be of paramount importance in the evaluation
process. Furthermore, it will be considered as basic for a positive evaluation
a short but effective presentation of the most relevant issues of both
linguistic and cultural phenomena dealt with during the course.
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
1) Scripts of Semitic languages.
2) Genitival construction in Semitic languages in comparative perspective.
3) Classification of Semitic languages.
4) The article in Semitic languages.
5) Afro-Asiatic languages.
VERSIONE IN ITALIANO
