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Descriptive and Prescriptive Grammar: From Sound to Word

Code: 105823
Credits: 6
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
Catalan Philology: Literary Studies and Linguistics FB 1
English and Catalan Studies FB 1
Catalan and Spanish Studies FB 1

Contact lecturer

Name :
Eulàlia Bonet Alsina
Email :
eulalia.bonet@uab.cat

Teaching staff

Gemma Repiso Puigdelliura

Group languages

You can consult this information at the end of the document.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites.

Objectives

The goal of this course is to achieve a mastering of the basic linguistic properties of Catalan related to sounds, morphemes and words, with a distinction between descriptive and prescriptive aspects.

Learning outcomes

  1. Write text commentaries from a critical standpoint.
  2. Identify principal and secondary ideas and express them using correct language.
  3. Students must be capable of applying their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional way and they should have building arguments and problem resolution skills within their area of study.
  4. Identify the linguistic differences between the various dialectal variants of the language.
  5. Describe the articulatory characteristics of the sounds of Catalan.
  6. Express oneself with orthophonic correctness in standard Catalan.
  7. Identify and describe the processes of inflection, derivation, composition and lexicalisation.
  8. Correctly identify linguistic units.
  9. Describe the combinatory processes for creating linguistic units.
  10. Analyse linguistic structures.
  11. Determine register types on the basis of phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics.
  12. Identify causes of variation deriving from register.
  13. Produce normatively correct written and oral texts.
  14. Analyse the most problematic phonetic, phonological, morphological, syntactic, lexical and semantic properties of the present-day language.
  15. Apply the principles of correctness required in the standard language and the different registers and variants.
  16. Use technological resources (digital and audiovisual) to acquire knowledge and apply it in language and literature.
  17. Interpret texts in depth and provide standpoints from which to analyse them critically.
  18. Produce written work and oral presentations that are effective and framed in the appropriate register.
  19. Gain a greater capacity for reading, interpreting and critically analysing literary and linguistic texts.
  20. Make appropriate use of the knowledge acquired in order to collect data and handle documentary sources in the study of Catalan language and literature.
  21. Work self-sufficiently on the synchronic and diachronic study of Catalan language and literature.
  22. Respect the opinions, values, behaviour and customs of others.
  23. Plan, organise and carry out work in a team.
  24. Identify the origin of errors made by non-native speakers when using the language.
  25. Troubleshoot errors made by non-native speakers when using the language.
  26. Identify the main and secondary ideas and express them with linguistic correctness.
  27. Strengthen the capacity of reading, interpretation and critical analysis of literary texts and language.
  28. Properly apply the knowledge gained to data collection and management of documentary sources application to the study of Catalan language and literature.
  29. Work independently in the synchronic and diachronic study of Catalan language and literature.
  30. Produce written and oral texts with correction rules.
  31. Analyze properties phonetic, phonological, morphological, syntactic, lexical and semantic language that current problems arise.
  32. Describe the varieties of oral and written discourse, their appropriateness and degrees of formality.
  33. Distinguish the systematic from the normative aspects in the study of language.
  34. Gramophone express correction to standard Catalan.
  35. Describe the process of creating combinatorial linguistic units.
  36. Analyze linguistic structures.
  37. Identify the source of errors in the use of language by non-native speakers.
  38. Resolve errors in the use of language by non-native speakers.
  39. Maintain an attitude of respect for the opinions, values, behaviors and practices of others.
  40. Use digital tools to collect, classify, interpret and analyse relevant data related to the study of linguistic variety.
  41. Identifying the main and secondary ideas and expressing them with linguistic correctness.
  42. Appropriately use the different available formal and technical resources.
  43. Identify the source of errors in the use of language to non-native speakers.
  44. Fix the errors in the use of language to non-native speakers.
  45. Analyzing linguistic structures.
  46. Determine the type of record from bases phonological, morphological, syntactic and semantic.
  47. Plan work effectively, individually or in groups, in order to fulfil the planned objectives.
  48. Locate specialised and academic information and select this according to its relevance.

Contents

1. Differences between grammatical description and grammatical prescription. Description and representation conventions: pronunciation and orthography; lexicon and dictionaries.


2. Lexical units: regular information and idiosyncratic information. Existent and possible words.


3. Sounds and distribution of sounds. Phonological regularities and allomorphy.


4. Word formation: derivation and compounding; other mechanisms of word formation. The adaptation of words from other languages.


5. Inflection. Paradigmatic relations. Gender and number in nominal inflection. Verbal inflection.


6. Pronouns.

Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Problem discussion 15 0.6 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 11, 13, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 30, 31, 32, 33, 37
problem solving in groups 5 0.2 3, 11, 16, 22, 23, 24, 27, 29, 33, 37
Flipped classroom 10 0.4 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 11, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 30, 32, 37
Stuying and individual work 58 2.32 36
Programmed tutoring 5 0.2 4, 6, 23, 24, 27, 30, 32
Individual problem solving 20 0.8 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 11, 13, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 30, 31, 32, 33, 37
lectures 20 0.8 1, 3, 7, 8, 11, 18, 21, 30, 37

The explanation of concepts will be combined with the resolution and discussion of exercises, solved individually or in groups.

All information relevant to the course will be notified through Campus Virtual (Moodle).

Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Assessment

Continuous assessment activities

Title Weight Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Homework assignments 10% 2 0.08 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 29
Partial written exam 15% 2 0.08 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14
Active participation in learning environments 10% 7 0.28 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 22, 24, 30, 34, 37, 39, 43
Final written exam 45% 2 0.08 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15
Group project 20% 4 0.16 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32, 33, 35, 36, 37, 38, 40, 41, 42, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48

Continuous assessment will be based on:

(1) active participation in learning environments: 10%

(2) Homework assignments: 10%

(3) Group project: 20%

(4) Written partial exam: 15%

(5) Written final exam: 45%

The day / time to revise assessed course activities will be notified in advance.

To access resitting students must have been previously graded in a set of activities whose weight is equivalent to two thirds of the total mark and must have obtained a mark between 3.5 and 4.8. Activities (1)-(4) are excluded from resitting. A ‘No avaluable’ will be awarded if a student fails to hand in more than 30% of the assessed work.

This course cannot be graded by non-continuous evaluation.

In the event of a student committing any irregularity that may lead to a significant variation in the grade awarded to an assessment activity, the student will be given a zero for this activity, regardless of any disciplinary process that may take place. In the event of several irregularities in assessment activities of the same subject, the student will be given a zero as the final grade forthis subject.

This subject allows the use of AI techonologies exclusively when explicitly stated. The student must clearly (i) identify which parts have been generated using AI technology; (ii) specify the tools used; and (iii) include a critical reflection on how these have influenced the process and final outcome of the activity. Lack of transparency regarding the use of AI in the assessed activity will be considered academic dishonesty; the corresponding grade will be 0 for that activity and cannot be reassessed. In cases of greater infringement, more serious action may be taken.


Erasmus and exchange students who request to advance an exam must present a document from their home university justifying their request.


Bibliography

Fabra, Pompeu. 1956. Gramàtica catalana. Barcelona: Teide.

Institut d’Estudis Catalans. 2016. Gramàtica de la llengua catalana. Barcelona: IEC.

Solà, Joan, Maria-Rosa Lloret, Joan Mascaró i Manuel Pérez Saldanya. 2002. Gramàtica del català contemporani. Barcelona: Empúries.

 

At the beginning of the semestre a detailed list of references, materials, and links for each topic will be provided.

 

 

Software

   

Course groups and languages

The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE

Type of teaching Group Language Semester Shift
(TE) Theory 1 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(PAUL) Classroom practices 1 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(TE) Theory 2 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(PAUL) Classroom practices 2 Catalan first semester morning-mixed