French (MA)
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
Conoscenze: Livello C1 in francese. Acquisisce nozioni di linguistica storica e di sociolinguistica utili per capire e descrivere la variazione del francese nel tempo e nello spazio. Competenze: Peut écrire des textes clairs, bien structurés sur des sujets complexes, en soulignant les points pertinents les plus saillants et en confirmant un point de vue de manière élaborée par l'intégration d'arguments secondaires, de justifications et d'exemples pertinents pour parvenir à une conclusion appropriée. Peut comprendre des textes appartenants à différentes époques de l'histoire du français et peut reconnaitre et décrire les traits linguistiques qui caractérisent les étapes fondamentales de l'évolution linguistique. Peut identifier les caractéristiques de différents registres du français oral et peut décrire les usages authentiques en utilisant un métalangage approprié.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding: knowledge of some moments in the history of the French language and understanding of the evolution of the system. Knowledge and understanding of oral and written French in authentic corpora and in various complex textual typologies such as essays and literary writings. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: full B2 level and higher levels for all linguistic-communicative activities: reception, production, interaction and mediation and development of strategies related to them. Ability to analyse the French language in a diachronic and synchronous perspective.
Lesson period: year
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
year
Course syllabus
The course, entitled "Dynamiques linguistiques du français contemporain", aims to describe the use of contemporary French in different communicative situations and social contexts, in France and in some French-speaking areas. It is divided into three parts:
A: Introduction to linguistic variation and spontaneous spoken French
B: Socio-cultural and geographical variation
C: Sociolinguistic reflections on contemporary uses of French
The first part introduces the basic concepts necessary to address the topic and initiates reflection on the various factors that determine linguistic variation, focusing in particular on the characteristics of spontaneous spoken French through the observation of authentic conversations. During the second part, we will consider some varieties influenced by socio-cultural and geographical factors, exploring the distinctive features of regional French in France and some French-speaking areas, based on oral conversations that will provide concrete examples of the main phonetic, morphosyntactic and lexical features. The third part involves a critical reflection on the phenomena observed, through the reading of some essays.
A: Introduction to linguistic variation and spontaneous spoken French
B: Socio-cultural and geographical variation
C: Sociolinguistic reflections on contemporary uses of French
The first part introduces the basic concepts necessary to address the topic and initiates reflection on the various factors that determine linguistic variation, focusing in particular on the characteristics of spontaneous spoken French through the observation of authentic conversations. During the second part, we will consider some varieties influenced by socio-cultural and geographical factors, exploring the distinctive features of regional French in France and some French-speaking areas, based on oral conversations that will provide concrete examples of the main phonetic, morphosyntactic and lexical features. The third part involves a critical reflection on the phenomena observed, through the reading of some essays.
Prerequisites for admission
Lessons will be taught entirely in French. Textbooks and activities in class or for self study assume that students already have a linguistic competence of level B2.
Teaching methods
The course adopts the following teaching methods: face-to-face lessons, practical activities.
Teaching Resources
REFERENCE MATERIALS FOR FOR ATTENDING AND NON ATTENDING STUDENTS
- S. Detey et al., Les variétés du français parlé dans l'espace francophone. Ressources pour
l'enseignement, Paris, Ophrys, 2010 (disponibile in biblioteca)
- Abeille' et al., "La liaison, l'élision et le e caduc", in La grande grammaire du français, Arles, Actes Sud,
2021, t. 2, pp. 2106-2125.
« La langue parlée », in Marina Yaguello (dir.), Le grand livre de la langue
française, Paris, Seuil, 2003, pp. 317-344. (disponibile in biblioteca)
- C. Brancaglion et P. Puccini, "La francophonie", in Le français de nos jours, Roma, Carocci, 2023, pp.
183-214
- Documenti audio e trascrizioni tratti dal corpus Phonologie du français contemporain, (https://www.projet-pfc.net/)
- Sezione "Le français expliqué" del sito Phonologie du français contemporain, (https://www.projet-pfc.net/le-projet-pfc-ef/le-francais-explique/)
- I saggi relativi alla parte C saranno indicati all'inizio del corso.
ADDITIONAL STUDIES FOR NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS
- Bernard Pöll, « Normes endogènes, variétés de prestige et pluralité normative », in AA.VV., Manuel des
francophonies, Walter de Gruyter, 2017, pp. 65-86 (accessibile online tramite il catalogo della biblioteca
Unimi)
- C. Blanche-Benveniste, Le français. Usages de la langue parlée, Peeters, 2010 (disponibile in biblioteca)
- AA.VV., « Le français en Europe - Pays limitrophes », in Manuel des francophonies, Walter de Gruyter,
2017, pp. 180-273. (accessibile online tramite il catalogo della biblioteca Unimi)
- AA.VV., « Le français en Amérique », in Manuel des francophonies, Walter de Gruyter, 2017, pp. 277-375.
(accessibile online tramite il catalogo della biblioteca Unimi)
- Sabine Diao-Klaeger, "Le français dans le monde : Afrique", in Manuel de linguistique française, Berlin,
München, Boston: De Gruyter, 2015, pp. 505-524 (accessibile online tramite il catalogo della biblioteca
Unimi)
- S. Detey et al., Les variétés du français parlé dans l'espace francophone. Ressources pour
l'enseignement, Paris, Ophrys, 2010 (disponibile in biblioteca)
- Abeille' et al., "La liaison, l'élision et le e caduc", in La grande grammaire du français, Arles, Actes Sud,
2021, t. 2, pp. 2106-2125.
« La langue parlée », in Marina Yaguello (dir.), Le grand livre de la langue
française, Paris, Seuil, 2003, pp. 317-344. (disponibile in biblioteca)
- C. Brancaglion et P. Puccini, "La francophonie", in Le français de nos jours, Roma, Carocci, 2023, pp.
183-214
- Documenti audio e trascrizioni tratti dal corpus Phonologie du français contemporain, (https://www.projet-pfc.net/)
- Sezione "Le français expliqué" del sito Phonologie du français contemporain, (https://www.projet-pfc.net/le-projet-pfc-ef/le-francais-explique/)
- I saggi relativi alla parte C saranno indicati all'inizio del corso.
ADDITIONAL STUDIES FOR NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS
- Bernard Pöll, « Normes endogènes, variétés de prestige et pluralité normative », in AA.VV., Manuel des
francophonies, Walter de Gruyter, 2017, pp. 65-86 (accessibile online tramite il catalogo della biblioteca
Unimi)
- C. Blanche-Benveniste, Le français. Usages de la langue parlée, Peeters, 2010 (disponibile in biblioteca)
- AA.VV., « Le français en Europe - Pays limitrophes », in Manuel des francophonies, Walter de Gruyter,
2017, pp. 180-273. (accessibile online tramite il catalogo della biblioteca Unimi)
- AA.VV., « Le français en Amérique », in Manuel des francophonies, Walter de Gruyter, 2017, pp. 277-375.
(accessibile online tramite il catalogo della biblioteca Unimi)
- Sabine Diao-Klaeger, "Le français dans le monde : Afrique", in Manuel de linguistique française, Berlin,
München, Boston: De Gruyter, 2015, pp. 505-524 (accessibile online tramite il catalogo della biblioteca
Unimi)
Assessment methods and Criteria
The course includes practical exercises to prepare for the written part and a monographic course. The written exam consists of a synthesising of textual and audiovisual documents relating to the same topic. The course will be assessed through an oral exam in French on the topics covered in the programme, aimed at assessing knowledge of the content and the ability to reflect on the phenomena studied, including though analysis of the documents proposed during the lessons and made available on educational platforms. Part A of the course also includes a practical task consisting of transcribing an oral document and analysing the typical phenomena of spontaneous speech found therein. Non-attending students must agree on this task directly with the teacher.
There will be a single exam score, which will take into account the results of the written exam and the various parts of the monographic course. The written and oral parts of the exam must refer to the same programme and can be taken in any order. There will be ongoing tests for attending students. The exam can be taken from May 2026 to September 2027 (the programme is valid for oral exams from June 2026 to September 2027 and for written exams from May 2026 to January 2027).
INTERNATIONAL students or incoming ERASMUS students are invited to quickly contact the teacher. The examination procedures for students with disabilities and/or DSA must be agreed with the teacher, in accordance with the responsible Office.
There will be a single exam score, which will take into account the results of the written exam and the various parts of the monographic course. The written and oral parts of the exam must refer to the same programme and can be taken in any order. There will be ongoing tests for attending students. The exam can be taken from May 2026 to September 2027 (the programme is valid for oral exams from June 2026 to September 2027 and for written exams from May 2026 to January 2027).
INTERNATIONAL students or incoming ERASMUS students are invited to quickly contact the teacher. The examination procedures for students with disabilities and/or DSA must be agreed with the teacher, in accordance with the responsible Office.
Modules or teaching units
Part A and B
L-LIN/04 - LANGUAGE AND TRANSLATION - FRENCH - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Part C
L-LIN/04 - LANGUAGE AND TRANSLATION - FRENCH - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
Piazza S. Alessandro, 1 - sezione di francesistica