Teaching the Syntax of German Microvarieties in Italy: Critical Reflections and Prospects.
Saved in:
| Title: | Teaching the Syntax of German Microvarieties in Italy: Critical Reflections and Prospects. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Bidese, Ermenegildo1 (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Instructed Second Language Acquisition. Nov2025, Vol. 9 Issue 2, p329-352. 24p. |
| Subject Terms: | *Language contact, *Language maintenance, *Second language acquisition, *Linguistics education, *Teaching aids, *Comparative studies, Linguistic minorities |
| Geographic Terms: | Italy |
| Abstract: | This article explores the challenges involved in the acquisition and instruction of sentence-level syntax in six small German-based minority languages spoken in northeastern Italy. Due to prolonged contact with northern Italian dialects, these microvarieties—typologically related to the South Bavarian dialect group—have developed complex syntactic properties that diverge markedly from those of German dialects spoken in German-speaking regions, thus presenting notable difficulties for both language learners and educators. To address these difficulties, we adopt a diasystemic approach that conceptualizes the six varieties as a unified but internally diverse system. This model not only enables comparative syntactic analysis but also serves as a methodological framework for language teaching, allowing educators to highlight structural correspondences and contrasts across varieties. This integrated approach—combining syntax, contact linguistics, and language acquisition—can lay the foundation for developing targeted educational materials tailored to these varieties and contributes to their maintenance and revitalization by supporting formal instruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Instructed Second Language Acquisition is the property of University of Toronto Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Education Research Complete |
|
Full text is not displayed to guests.
Login for full access.
|
|
| Abstract: | This article explores the challenges involved in the acquisition and instruction of sentence-level syntax in six small German-based minority languages spoken in northeastern Italy. Due to prolonged contact with northern Italian dialects, these microvarieties—typologically related to the South Bavarian dialect group—have developed complex syntactic properties that diverge markedly from those of German dialects spoken in German-speaking regions, thus presenting notable difficulties for both language learners and educators. To address these difficulties, we adopt a diasystemic approach that conceptualizes the six varieties as a unified but internally diverse system. This model not only enables comparative syntactic analysis but also serves as a methodological framework for language teaching, allowing educators to highlight structural correspondences and contrasts across varieties. This integrated approach—combining syntax, contact linguistics, and language acquisition—can lay the foundation for developing targeted educational materials tailored to these varieties and contributes to their maintenance and revitalization by supporting formal instruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 23984155 |
| DOI: | 10.3138/isla-2025-0022 |
