This biannual learning unit is not being organized in 2026-2027 !
Teacher(s)
Language
English
> French-friendly
> French-friendly
Prerequisites
- A bachelor's degree in modern or Romance languages and literature
- Solid knowledge of academic English
Main themes
This thematic research seminar focuses on figurative language (conceptual metaphors, metonymy, personification, figurative representation of time and space, etc.) from a cross-linguistic perspective. It offers students the opportunity to take part in a specific research project - in theoretical and/or applied linguistics - supervised by a team of specialized teachers from the various linguistics research centers affiliated to FIAL.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to : | |
| 1 | Conduct a scientific study in the field of figurative language across languages under the guidance of a team of experts |
| 2 | Present the research questions, methods and results of this research project orally |
| 3 | Present the research questions, methods and results of this scientific project in an academic paper |
| This learning unit contributes to the development and command of the following skills and learning outcomes of the ELAL programmes (ELAL learning outcomes): 1.1 ; 1.4 ; 1.6 ; 2.1 ; 2.3 ; 2.4 ; 2.6 ; 3.1 ; 3.2 ; 3.3 ; 3.5 ; 3.6 ; 4.3 ; 4.5 ; 5.1 ; 5.2 ; 5.3 ; 5.6 ; 6.1 ; 6.2 ; 6.3 ; 6.4 ; 6.5 ; 6.6 |
|
Content
In the first part, this seminar will present fundamental concepts and research methods in the field of figurative language. In the second part, students will conduct scientific research in this field, comparing the use of figurative language in at least two languages.
Teaching methods
Mixed approach consisting of lectures by the course teachers and/or guest researchers and the preparation of a written paper on a specific research topic related to the central theme.
The first part of the seminar will be provided in English. It will consist of a presentation of the seminar theme and the different methodologies that can be used to study a certain linguistic phenomenon in the field of figurative language.
In the remaining hours, taught in the student's language of specialty (French, English, Dutch, German, Spanish, Italian), students will prepare a research paper (with oral presentation and written research report), which will be accompanied by one or more teachers of the language and / or area of specialty.
The first part of the seminar will be provided in English. It will consist of a presentation of the seminar theme and the different methodologies that can be used to study a certain linguistic phenomenon in the field of figurative language.
In the remaining hours, taught in the student's language of specialty (French, English, Dutch, German, Spanish, Italian), students will prepare a research paper (with oral presentation and written research report), which will be accompanied by one or more teachers of the language and / or area of specialty.
Evaluation methods
The final assessment in the June term will be based on:
• The course descriptions for ELAL programs refer to the document prepared by the School: Guidelines for the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) Tools in ELAL.
• The course descriptions for all other faculty programs managed by EHAC, LSTI, TRAD, and EFIL refer to the institutional document updated in 2026: Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence. Guidance Note for UCLouvain Students.
Whether disclosed or not, the use of GAI tools will be considered inconsistent with academic standards when it leads to:
• citing bibliographic sources to support claims without having consulted those sources and/or where there is no close connection between those claims and the ideas developed in the cited sources;
• including references in the bibliography whose validity has not been verified or which are entirely non-existent.
In the event of suspected inappropriate use of GAI, the course instructor(s) may verify compliance with the principle of authenticity of the work submitted by the student and, pursuant to Article 148 of the RGEE, with the jury’s approval, require an additional assessment. Any unauthorized use of GAI may be considered an academic irregularity within the meaning of Article 107 of the UCLouvain RGEE.
Rules Concerning Plagiarism
As part of their work, students must demonstrate a thorough mastery of bibliographic referencing practices. To avoid any suspicion of plagiarism, they must:
• NOT copy text without quotation marks and/or without citing the source;
• NOT reproduce graphs, data, illustrations, etc. without citing the source;
• NOT paraphrase or summarize an author's original idea without citing the source;
• NOT translate, wholly or partially, a source without providing a reference;
• NOT use someone else's work and present it as their own (even if the original author has given permission);
• NOT purchase academic work.
See: https://www.uclouvain.be/fr/uss/lutter-contre-le-plagiat
This definition supplements that provided in Article 107 §2 of the RGEE and constitutes a specific provision within the meaning of §3 of the same article. Any student who fails to comply with the scientific referencing standards set out above may, in the event of an irregularity or plagiarism established by the jury, be subject to academic sanctions as detailed in Section 7 of the RGEE.
- a continuous assessment (10% of the total): active participation in class in Q1 and active collaboration with the supervisor(s) of the research project
- an oral presentation during Q2 on the research conducted (30% of the total)
- a written research report, submitted by the first day of the June session (60% of the total).
- the oral presentation (40%) which in this session takes the form of a commented PPT (with voice-over) and is submitted before or at the same time as the written research report
- the written research report (60%), submitted no later than the first day of the August/September session
• The course descriptions for ELAL programs refer to the document prepared by the School: Guidelines for the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) Tools in ELAL.
• The course descriptions for all other faculty programs managed by EHAC, LSTI, TRAD, and EFIL refer to the institutional document updated in 2026: Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence. Guidance Note for UCLouvain Students.
Whether disclosed or not, the use of GAI tools will be considered inconsistent with academic standards when it leads to:
• citing bibliographic sources to support claims without having consulted those sources and/or where there is no close connection between those claims and the ideas developed in the cited sources;
• including references in the bibliography whose validity has not been verified or which are entirely non-existent.
In the event of suspected inappropriate use of GAI, the course instructor(s) may verify compliance with the principle of authenticity of the work submitted by the student and, pursuant to Article 148 of the RGEE, with the jury’s approval, require an additional assessment. Any unauthorized use of GAI may be considered an academic irregularity within the meaning of Article 107 of the UCLouvain RGEE.
Rules Concerning Plagiarism
As part of their work, students must demonstrate a thorough mastery of bibliographic referencing practices. To avoid any suspicion of plagiarism, they must:
• NOT copy text without quotation marks and/or without citing the source;
• NOT reproduce graphs, data, illustrations, etc. without citing the source;
• NOT paraphrase or summarize an author's original idea without citing the source;
• NOT translate, wholly or partially, a source without providing a reference;
• NOT use someone else's work and present it as their own (even if the original author has given permission);
• NOT purchase academic work.
See: https://www.uclouvain.be/fr/uss/lutter-contre-le-plagiat
This definition supplements that provided in Article 107 §2 of the RGEE and constitutes a specific provision within the meaning of §3 of the same article. Any student who fails to comply with the scientific referencing standards set out above may, in the event of an irregularity or plagiarism established by the jury, be subject to academic sanctions as detailed in Section 7 of the RGEE.
Online resources
Course documents and reading portfolio available on the Moodle platform
Faculty or entity
