THE ATLAS OF COLORS AND THE ITALIAN LS: FROM THE CHROMONYMS TO THE “CHROMODIDACTIC”

Abstract

The Atlas of Colors is a compilation of homonyms categorized into subgroups, which is included in the Zingarelli dictionary. Our research indicates that the Atlas of Colors is an exclusive feature of this dictionary. This corpus, in our view, holds particular value and usefulness. Firstly, it provides a comprehensive list of colors documented in the Italian language. Secondly, it facilitates the identification of idiomatic and figurative expressions found within entries associated with the respective colors in the dictionary. We firmly believe that these homonyms can be beneficial for advanced Italian FL students. This is because Italian FL manuals primarily focus on basic colors, and only at level A (and less frequently at level B) of the CEFR, without further expanding and deepening the understanding of the numerous colors at the advanced levels, nor providing suitable suggestions for these students. In this regard, our concept of "chromodidactics" aims to offer the opportunity to integrate advanced-level syllabi of Italian FL with activities that consider colors. Through these activities, we can explore the culture of the target language, which can be discerned not only by the names assigned to the colors but also by the multitude of expressions associated with them, as recorded in the Zingarelli dictionary. To enable and enhance these activities, "chromodidactics" particularly relies on ludolinguistics, the merits of which have also been acknowledged by the CEFR. Lastly, the low affective filter inherent in the "chromodidactics" activities could positively influence foreign students' inclination to consult a monolingual dictionary.