French Linguistics III : from words to discourse [ LROM1331 ]

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LFIAL1530 et LROM1221

Part I.

(1) Historical approach towards the formation of French lexicon and the development of lexical description tools.

(2) Introduction to several theoretical framework for the description of lexical facts.

(3) Study of the major lexical phenomenon and their links with other levels of linguistic analysis (morphology, syntax, semantics). Illustration of these phenomenon through specific case studies.

Part II.

(1) Study and comparison of the main models of discourse analysis (from French and Anglo-Saxon traditions) at different levels (methods, data, researchers' ideological postures).

(2) Application of models to authentic texts and assessment of their forces and weaknesses.

(3) Critical reflection on the way each model copes with the problem of discourse interpretation.

By the end of the course, the student will be able:

- understand and critically situate various theoretical models of the construction and organisation of lexical and discursive units;

- master the main concepts related to the theoretical models examined;

- analyse complex linguistic phenomenon (ex. neology, lexical frozeness, conversations, media discourse), in a way to bring into light linguistic units' contructions and relationships;

- link theoretical model to the way they are drawn upon in various fields (ex. terminology, lexical statistics, computational linguistics, text and interaction analysis, etc.).

- there is a written examination (2 x 2 hours) on the course (Parts I and II)
- for Part I, students are also required to do an individual assignment

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For Part I
Chapter 1. Introduction : lexicology and related disciplines
Chapter 2. The lexical unit and fixedness
Chapter 3. The life of lexis : meaning, forms, developments
Chapter 4. Historical overview of lexicography

For Part II
Chapter 1. Philosophy of ordinary language
Chapter 2. Linguistic anthropology and interactional sociolinguistics
Chapter 3. Conversational analysis
Chapter 4. Models of hierarchical discourse structure
Chapter 5. Critical discourse analysis
Chapter 6. Computer-mediated discourse analysis

See course material

For Part I, a partial syllabus is available on iCampus

For Part II, the syllabus is on sale at DUC