The Culture of Everyday Language
F05
Roberto de Lucca
What is the relationship between language and its culture? In examining a variety of specialized language media (advertising, letters and e-mail, journalism, cinema, etc.), students will improve their language skills and their knowledge of Italian culture. We will look at forms in genres we often take for granted, analyzing the differences that point to cultural assumptions and lessons. Why is Italian film almost always dubbed? Why are Italian newspapers so different in style and tone from ours? Is Italian advertising so much more overtly sexist, and if so, how and why? We will compare Italian and English forms, looking for the cultural models that underlie linguistic differences. There will be several writing assignments, both creative and analytical. Students will choose a topic for a project and related presentation.