OVERVIEW

The course aims to provide students with the tools for an advanced use of the elements of the morphology and syntax of the Chinese language aimed at: 1) improving oral and written skills, 2) the formulation of conversations on specific topics through the use of a broader and more detailed vocabulary, 3) the deepening of translation techniques on the most common text typologies.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims at providing students with a language competence which equals level B2- of the CEFR, which allows them to understand written texts of diffent registers, to produce written texts on a variety of topics, in addition to an oral linguistic competence enabling them to express effectively their ideas and take part to a conversation and react to external stimuli. At the end of the course, students will havean active knowledge of 1100 characters and 1400 words, as well as a consistent knowledge of the grammar and the syntaxis of modern Chinese language.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course involves the refinement of translation and expressive skills in modern Chinese, with particular reference to the written language and oral expression in specific situations and on multiple topics. The skills of analysis and understanding of short texts of medium difficulty relating to some of the most common types (fiction, press reports, essays) will also be perfected. At the end of the course, students must: 1) demonstrate they have acquired adequate morphological, syntactic and lexical knowledge equal to the HSK4 level; 2) fully apply the notions learned in the reading and translating process, undergoing a critical analysis of texts of medium difficulty and display an oral production consistent with the expected level; 3) have developed a working methodology to autonomously deepen what has been learned, proceeding with a critical evaluation of the source of information used; 4) be able to demonstrate the acquisition of all the main linguistic means, to express his thoughts in a simple and clear way; 5) demonstrate the understanding of the various contents presented during the course. Active participation during lessons is essential in order to improve one's learning model.

PREREQUISITES

Chinese language skills approximately equal to an HSK3 level, and complete theoretical and practical knowledge of the Italian language equal to C2 of the CEFR or mother tongue, and of a second foreign language.

TEACHING METHODS

The course is structured in:

Lettorato (first and second semester): 100 hours of frontal teaching.

Theoretical Module (first semester): 30 hours of frontal teaching.

Both in the Lettorato and in the Theoretical Module, translation or composition assignments will be periodically handed out (to be carried out independently or in groups), then will be analysed and discussed during class time.

Attendance of both the Lettorato and the Theoretical Module is therefore strongly recommended.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course consists of:

1) lettorato lasting one year, focused on deepening all the morphosyntactic elements of the Chinese language with multiple exercises aimed at acquiring lexical and discursive skills equal to the HSK 4 level, aimed at developing adequate skills in both oral and written production;

  2) 30-hrs. theoretical module on the first semester focusing on the main translation and interpretative techniques applied to different types of texts and contents, with particular reference to the contemporary socio-cultural context.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

- Compulsory texts:

- Chun Allen, Forget Chineseness. On the Geopolitics of Cultural Identification, SUNY Press, NY, 2017 (Prima e terza parte).

- Mitter Rana, China’s Good War. How World War II is Shaping a New Nationalism, Harward UP, Cambridge/London, 2020. (Introduzione, capp. 4, 6, conclusione).

- Chan Koonchung, Il demone della prosperità, Longanesi, Milano 2012;

or:

- Yu Hua, Mao Zedong è arrabbiato, Feltrinelli, Milano, 2018.

Eventuali letture integrative saranno fornite durante il corso.

- Recommended dictionaries:

Casacchia G., Bai Yukun, Dizionario Cinese-Italiano, Cafoscarina, Venezia 2013.

Zhao Xiuying, Il dizionario di cinese. Dizionario Cinese-Italiano Italiano-Cinese, Zanichelli, Bologna 2013.      

Wu Guanghua (ed.), Han-ying da cidian 汉英大辞典 - Chinese-English Dictionary, Shanghai Jiaotong daxue chubanshe, Shanghai 1993, 2 voll./ New Age Chinese-English Dictionary, Beijing, The Commercial Press, 2001.

 Liang Shih-Chiu (ed.), Yuandong Han-ying da cidian 遠東漢英大辭典 Far East Chinese-English Dictionary, Far East Book Company, Taipei 1992.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

LUCA PISANO (President)

XIAODANYANG ZHANG

GIOVANNA PUPPIN (Substitute)

LESSONS

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of a compulsory written test before the oral interview.

Written test:

- translation of a short text from Chinese to Italian (dictionary allowed);

- reading and comprehension of a short text (no dictionary);

- dictation (no dictionary);

Total duration of the written test: max. 4 hours.

N.B .: For the admission to the oral interview, each single part of the test must get at least a passing grade. All parts of the written test must be taken within the same round.

Oral exam:

Students will have to demonstrate knowledge of the grammar of the language and read texts of difficulty equal to the HSK 4 level. Students must be able to hold a conversation on conventional topics with the linguistic expert and know the writing of the characters provided. They will also have to demonstrate that they have acquired complete familiarity in the analysis of all the texts dealt with during the Theoretical Module. They will also have to know the content of the texts provided in the bibliography for which they must also be able to expound a correct historical framework, using the indications and suggestions given by the teacher during the year.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The written exam of Chinese Language III will verify the consolidation of translation skills relating to the written text (Chinese-Italian translation), oral comprehension (dictation) and comprehension skills (reading and reading comprehension).
 
The oral examination of the lettorato part will verify the acquisition of skills related to oral comprehension and production, as well as the degree of assimilation of skills related to the understanding and knowledge of the expected characters. The oral exam relating to the theoretical module will verify the acquisition of all the analytical knowledge relating to the texts analyzed during the course. Knowledge of the contents of the compulsory texts indicated in the bibliography will also be verified. The quality of the exposition, the correct use of the scientific lexicon (in particular in relation to the principles of textual morphosyntax as well as the issues discussed in the texts indicated in the bibliography or provided in class) and the ability of critical orientation will be evaluated.

Exam schedule