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Theory of Language

Code 16978
Year 2
Semester S2
ECTS Credits 6
Workload OT(15H)/TP(45H)
Scientific area Philosophy
Entry requirements Not applicable.
Mode of delivery -- Face-to-face.
Work placements -- None.
Learning outcomes This course aims to introduce students to the philosophy of language, providing them with theoretical and practical knowledge about the main concepts and theories inherent to the relationship between thought and language.

1. Identify the main questions and problems addressed by the Philosophy of Language.
2. Discuss the role of language in the formation of mental concepts and categories and in the modeling of cognitive processes.
3. Differentiate pragmatic approaches to language.
4. Problematize the interlinguistic relationship regarding translation.
5. Develop self-reflective capacity on language issues.
6. Understand the impact of digital technologies and artificial intelligence on the philosophy of language.
7. Develop the ability to communicate cultural content in an accessible way.


Syllabus
1) Basics of Language Theory
- Thought and Language
- Nature of the Linguistic Sign — Saussurre

2) Pragmatic Theories of Language
- Speech Acts — from Austin to Searle
- Chomsky and Universal Grammar. Competence and Performance

3) Translation and Artificial Intelligence in the Philosophy of Language And Language Accessibility
Translation Theories
- Impact of digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence on the Philosophy of Language
- Language Accessibility in Communication and Culture
Main Bibliography Austin, J. L. (1989). “Performativo-Constativo”. In J. P. de Lima, Linguagem e Acção. Da filosofia analítica à linguística pragmática (pp. 41-58). Lisboa, Portugal: Apáginastantas.
Austin, J. L. (1990). Quando Dizer é Fazer. Porto Alegre, Brasil: Artes Médicas.
Benjamin, W. (2015). Linguagem, Tradução e Literatura. Lisboa, Portugal: Assírio & Alvim.
Ducrot, O. (1984). “Actos Linguísticos”. In Enciclopédia Einaudi (nº2, pp. 439-457). Lisboa, Portugal: IN-CM.
Ducrot, O. (1984). “Enunciação”. In Enciclopédia Einaudi (nº2, pp. 369-393). Lisboa, Portugal: IN-CM.
Ducrot, O. (1984). ““Pressuposição e Alusão”. In Enciclopédia Einaudi (nº2, pp. 394-417). Lisboa, Portugal: IN-CM.
(…)
Imbert, C., Zaslawsky, D., Jacques, F., Armengaud, F., Granger, G.G., Devaux, P., & Sebestik, J. (S. D.). Filosofia Analítica. Lisboa, Portugal: Gradiva.
Meyer, M. (1992). Lógica, Linguagem e Argumentação. Lisboa, Portugal: Teorema.
Quine, W. V. O. (1995). Filosofia e Linguagem. Lisboa, Portugal: Edições Asa.
Rodrigues, A. D. (1996). “A Perspectiva Accional da Pragmática”. In Dimensões Pragmáticas do Sentido (p. 79-99). Lisboa, Portugal: Edições Cosmos.
Ricouer, P. (2005). Sobre a Tradução. Lisboa, Portugal: Edições Cotovia.
Searle, J. (1989). “O que é um acto linguístico?”. In J. P. de Lima. Linguagem e Acção – da filosofia analítica à linguística pragmática (61-85). Lisboa, Portugal: Apáginatantas.
Steiner, G. (2002). Depois de Babel. Aspectos da linguagem e da tradução. Lisboa, Portugal: Relógio D’Água.
Todorov, Tzvetan (1991). “Os Conceitos Metodológicos”, In O. Ducrot (Org.). Dicionário das Ciências da Linguagem (pp. 127-155). Lisboa, Portugal: D. Quixote.
Wittgenstein, L. (1981). Tractatus Lógico-Filosófico e Investigações Filosóficas. Lisboa, Portugal: FCG.
Other documents available on the Moodle platform.
Teaching Methodologies and Assessment Criteria Assessment structure and percentage:
- Participation in classroom discussions (as a weighting for the grade, and excluding cases in which, as a result of this weighting, a negative grade would become a positive grade or vice versa)
- Group thematic essay (25%)
- Oral presentation of the written work (25%)
- Whritten test focusing on the main contents studied (50%)
Language Portuguese. Tutorial support is available in English.
Last updated on: 2025-03-01

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