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Catalan Language: Variation and Appropriateness

Code: 108312
Credits: 6
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
Translation and Interpreting FB 1

Contact lecturer

Name :
Pau Francesch Sabate
Email :
pau.francesch@uab.cat

Teaching staff

Helena Borrell Carreras
Carla Gonzalez Collantes

Group languages

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

Prerequisites

Students are expected to have mastered the official rules and standards of Catalan that were taught in the course "Catalan Language: Norm and Standard", and will have a level of textual competence that enables them to understand and translate texts of various types of a certain complexity.

Objectives

Complete students' training in the Catalan language with a focus on linguistic variation (register, dialect and inclusive language). Specifically, students must be able to:

  • identify the main features of the different registers
  • understand texts in different registers
  • produce texts in different registers
  • reinforce textual competence (cohesion, coherence, appropriateness and correct lexical use) through the revised and produced texts, and command of standard-normative language
  • identify the cultural specifics of the Catalan language (idioms, set phrases, textual conventions)
  • apply a gender perspective when correcting and producing texts

Learning outcomes

  • KM02 (Recognise the mechanisms that provide coherence and cohesion to different textual genres.) Recognise the mechanisms that provide coherence and cohesion to different textual genres.
  • KM03 (Identify the normative uses of language in the context of linguistic variation in order to choose the most appropriate options for a given communicative context.) Identify the normative uses of language in the context of linguistic variation in order to choose the most appropriate options for a given communicative context.
  • KM04 (Determine the cultural components that determine the characteristics of texts, both at the micro and macrotextual levels.) Determine the cultural components that determine the characteristics of texts, both at the micro and macrotextual levels.
  • SM02 (Apply knowledge of the lexical, morphosyntactic and rhetorical characteristics of the language to ensure that a written text is correct and suitable for the communicative context.) Apply knowledge of the lexical, morphosyntactic and rhetorical characteristics of the language to ensure that a written text is correct and suitable for the communicative context.
  • SM03 (Correct the linguistic and textual elements that can reduce how coherent and suitable a written text is to the communicative context.) Correct the linguistic and textual elements that can reduce how coherent and suitable a written text is to the communicative context.
  • SM05 (Analyse the communicative value of the cultural references present in written texts.) Analyse the communicative value of the cultural references present in written texts.
  • SM07 (Apply knowledge about sex/gender inequalities and discrimination in society to the production and proofreading of written texts that reflect the gender perspective.) Apply knowledge about sex/gender inequalities and discrimination in society to the production and proofreading of written texts that reflect the gender perspective.

Contents

The course contrasts standard Catalan with variations in dialect and register variation as translation options. The essential content is as follows:

  • Analysis of texts of different registers and types, identifying the features that characterise them.
  • Analysis of variation in colloquial language in fiction, theatre and dubbing.
  • Production of texts in different registers.
  • Analysis and production of texts with varying levels of application of the standard Catalan norms.
  • Application of a gender perspective in language use.
  • Cultural specifics of the Catalan language (idioms, set phrases, textual conventions).

Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
1st applied language case + question about the 1st reading 1 0.04 KM02, KM03, KM04, SM02, SM03, SM05
Solucion of the 1st writing exercise 1 0.04 KM02, KM03, KM04, SM02, SM03, SM05, SM07
Solution of the 2nd applied language case + question about the 2nd reading 1 0.04 KM02, KM03, KM04, SM02, SM03, SM05, SM07
In-class text correction exercises, among other 7 0.28 KM02, KM03, KM04, SM02, SM03, SM05, SM07
Required reading (two short readings) and recommended bibliography, consultation of documentary sources, completion of self-correcting exercises with an answer key, and independent study and completion of assessment activities. 75 3 KM02, KM03, KM04, SM02, SM03, SM05, SM07
Solution of the 2nd writing exercise 1 0.04 KM02, KM03, KM04, SM02, SM03, SM05, SM07
Lectures and hands-on sessions, classroom discussion of reading comprehension questions, and worksheets completed in class 50 2 KM02, KM03, KM04, SM02, SM03, SM05, SM07

The course Catalan Language: Variation and Appropriateness combines three kinds of formative activities:

(a) Guided (50 h)

  • Theoretical and applied lectures
  • Theoretical discussion of questions about the readings during the class
  • Quizzes during the class

(b) Supervised (25 h)

  • Exercises for understanding and producing written texts in various registers (16 h)
  • In-class correction exercises among other (9 h)

(c) Independent (75 h)

  • Reading of required bibliography (two short readings) and recommended bibliography
  • Consultation of reference sources
  • Completion of self-correcting exercises with an answer key
  • Independent study
  • Completion of assessed activities
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
2nd applied language case + question about the 2nd reading 15% 3 0.12 KM02, KM03, KM04, SM02, SM03, SM05
1st writing exercise 15% 3 0.12 KM02, KM03, KM04, SM02, SM03, SM05, SM07
Examen final escrit 40% 2 0.08 KM02, KM03, KM04, SM02, SM03, SM05, SM07
1st applied language case + question about the 1st reading 15% 3 0.12 KM02, KM03, KM04, SM02, SM03, SM05
2nd writing exercise 15% 3 0.12 KM02, KM03, KM04, SM02, SM03, SM05, SM07

Continuous Assessment

Assessment is continuous throughout the subject. Students must provide evidence of their progress by completing various tasks and tests. Task and test deadlines will be indicated in the course schedule on the first day of class. The information on assessment activities and their weighting is a guide. The subject lecturer will provide full information when teaching begins.

Review

When publishing final grades prior to recording them on students' transcripts, the lecturer will provide written notification of a date and time for reviewing assessment activities. Students must arrange reviews in agreement with the lecturer.

Missed/failed assessment activities

Students may retake assessment activities they have failed or compensate for any they have missed, provided that those they have actually performed account for a minimum of 66.6% (two thirds) of the final grade for the subject and that they have a weighted average mark of at least 3.5. In case of retaking, the maximum grade will be 5 (Pass).

The lecturer will inform students in writing of the retake procedure involved when publishing final grades prior to recording them on transcripts. The lecturer may set one assignment per failed or missed assessment activity or a single assignment to cover a number of such activities. Under no circumstances may an assessment activity worth 100% of the final mark be retaken or compensated for.

Classification as "not assessable"

In the event that the assessment activities a student has performed account for 25% or less of the final grade for the subject, their work will be classified as "not assessable" on their transcript.

Misconduct in assessment activities

Students who engage in misconduct (plagiarism, copying, personation, etc.) in an assessment activity will receive a mark of “0” for the activity in question. In the case of misconduct in more than one assessment activity, the student involved will be given a final grade of “0” for the subject. Assessment activities in which irregularities have occurred (e.g. plagiarism, copying, impersonation) are excluded from retake.

Use of artificial intelligence

In this subject, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies may or may not be permitted depending on the activity. The permitted and prohibited uses in each case will be detailed in the course introduction. Students must clearly identify which parts were generated using AI technologies, specify the tools used, and include a critical reflection on how these tools influenced the process and the final result of the activity. A lack of transparency regarding the use of AI in graded assignments will be considered a breach of academic integrity and may result in a partial or total penalty on the grade, or more severe sanctions in serious cases.

Single assessment

This subject may be assessed under the single assessment system in accordance with the terms established in the academic regulations of the UAB and the assessment criteria of the Faculty of Translation and Interpreting.

Students must make an online request within the period established by the faculty and send a copy to the lecturer responsible for the subject, for the record.

Single assessment will be carried out in person on one day during week 16 or 17 of the semester. The Academic Management Office will publish the exact date and time on the faculty website.

On the day of the single assessment, teaching staff will ask the student for identification, which should be a valid identification document with a recent photograph (student card, DNI/NIE or passport).

Single assessment activities

The single assessment will include the following assessment activities:

  • First assessed assignment (15%): first written assignment on a case study in which grammar is applied to a language and register issue, plus a question on the first required reading.
  • Second graded assignment (15%): second written assignment on a practical case study in which grammar is applied to a language and register issue, plus a question on the second required reading.
  • Third graded assignment (15%): academic writing assignment.
  • Fourth graded assignment (15%): translation or translation review exercise.
  • Fifth graded assignment (40%): final written exam (this covers all course material: grammar questions and case studies on standard usage and register).

Bibliography

Casadevall, Judit; Gala Porté; Xavier Mas i Gerard Viladomat (2016). Com ho diria. [en línia] <https://www.ub.edu/comhodiria>.

DCVB = Alcover, Antoni Maria i Francesc de Borja Moll (2001-2002 [1975-77]). Diccionari català-valencià-balear. [en línia] <https://dcvb.iec.cat/>.

DEIEC = Institut d’Estudis Catalans. (2023). Diccionari essencial de la llengua catalana. [en línia] <https://deiec.iec.cat/>.

DIEC2 = Institut d'Estudis Catalans. (2007). Diccionari de la llengua catalana. [en línia] <https://dlc.iec.cat/>.

ésAdir = Corporació Catalana de Mitjans Audiovisuals (2025). ésAdir. El portal lingüístic de 3cat. [en línia] <https://esadir.cat/>.

Gcc = Solà, Joan; Maria Rosa Lloret; Joan Mascaró i Manuel Pérez Saldanya (dir.) (2002). Gramàtica del català contemporani. Barcelona: Empúries.

GIEC = Institut d'Estudis Catalans (2016). Gramàtica de la llengua catalana de l'Institut d'Estudis Catalans. [en línia] <https://giec.iec.cat/>.

Mas, Xavier; Clara Soler i Gerard Viladomat (2023). Petem-ho! Manual de català per a boomers i millennials. Barcelona: Rosa dels vents.

Moyano, Jun (dir.) (2023). Guia gramatical de llenguatge no-binari. Barcelona: Raig Verd Editorial.

OIEC = Institut d'Estudis Catalans (2017). Ortografia catalana. [en línia] <https://oiec.iec.cat/>.

Optimot = Generalitat de Catalunya (2025). Optimot. Consultes lingüístiques. [en línia] <https://aplicacions.llengua.gencat.cat/>.

PEOLC I = Institut d'Estudis Catalans (1999). Proposta per a un estàndard oral de la llengua catalana, I. Fonètica. Barcelona: Institut d'Estudis Catalans. [en línia] <https://publicacions.iec.cat/repository/pdf/00000039/00000072.pdf>.

PEOLC II = Institut d'Estudis Catalans (1999). Proposta per a un estàndard oral de la llengua catalana, II. Morfologia. Barcelona: Institut d'Estudis Catalans. [en línia] <https://publicacions.iec.cat/repository/pdf/00000039/00000073.pdf>.

PEOLC III = Institut d'Estudis Catalans (2018). Proposta per a un estàndard oral de la llengua catalana, III. Lèxic. Barcelona: Institut d'Estudis Catalans. [en línia] <https://estandard-oral.iec.cat/>.

Perea, Maria-Pilar (2020). «Dialèctica de l’estàndard, dialèctica de les varietats dialectals». Dins Boix-Fuster, Emili i Maria-Pilar Perea (eds.) Llengua i dialectes: esperances per al català, el gallec i el basc. p. 107-124. Barcelona: Edicions de la Universitat de Barcelona. [en línia] <https://e-aules.uab.cat/2025-26/pluginfile.php/232126/mod_label/intro/9788491686132%20(Creative%20Commons).pdf>.

Pujol, Josep M. i Joan Solà (2011) Ortotipografia. Manual de l’autor, l’autoeditor i el dissenyador gràfic. Barcelona: Educaula.

Softcatalà (2016). Diccionari de sinònims [en línia] <https://www.softcatala.org/diccionari-de-sinonims/>.

Termcat (2026). Cercaterm. [en línia] <www.termcat.cat/ca/cercaterm>.

Software

No specific software is used in this course.

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
(PAUL) Classroom practices 1 Catalan second semester morning-mixed
(PAUL) Classroom practices 2 Catalan second semester morning-mixed
(PAUL) Classroom practices 3 Catalan second semester morning-mixed
(PAUL) Classroom practices 4 Catalan second semester morning-mixed