Cultures and Religions

The course will present the linguistic framework and development of Ethiopia and Eritrea, in the context of the Horn of Africa, from its origins to the modern age, including through the reading and commentary of relevant texts from both linguistic and cultural-historical perspectives. Topics will range from the systematic presentation of the languages of Eritrea and Ethiopia, with special attention to Semitic and Afro-Asiatic languages, to the problems of classifying Ethiopic within Semitic and South-Semitic, to the phenomena of areal contact, interference and convergence, to the early linguistic stages of Ethiopia and Eritrea through epigraphic evidence with the problems of periodization of Semitic settlement, to the earliest manuscript attestation of Ethiopic, Amharic and Harari.

Basic knowledge of general and/or historical linguistics.

The bibliographical material and detailed directions will be indicated during the course. Please, take note of the following preliminary texts (see section in Italian).

The course will take place in presence.

Assessment will take into account active and interactive participation, consisting of the indispensable study of the topics and texts introduced, and a final examination in the form of an oral interview.

The course will take place in presence.

The course will present the linguistic framework and development of Ethiopia and Eritrea, in the context of the Horn of Africa, from its origins to the modern age, including through the reading and commentary of relevant texts from both linguistic and cultural-historical perspectives. Topics will range from the systematic presentation of the languages of Eritrea and Ethiopia, with special attention to Semitic and Afro-Asiatic languages, to the problems of classifying Ethiopic within Semitic and South-Semitic, to the phenomena of areal contact, interference and convergence, to the early linguistic stages of Ethiopia and Eritrea through epigraphic evidence with the problems of periodization of Semitic settlement, to the earliest manuscript attestation of Ethiopic, Amharic and Harari.

Basic knowledge of general and/or historical linguistics.

The bibliographical material and detailed directions will be indicated during the course. Please, take note of the following preliminary texts (see section in Italian).

The course will take place in presence.

Assessment will take into account active and interactive participation, consisting of the indispensable study of the topics and texts introduced, and a final examination in the form of an oral interview.

The course will take place in presence.