C0032 - LINGUA E LINGUISTICA CINESE 1

Learning outcomes

The student is competent in all communicative skills in Chinese at the elementary level of the parameters set by the relevant authorities. He/she has a basic knowledge of Chinese linguistics.

Course contents

Upon completion of the course, students will have a basic understanding of the Chinese language and linguistics. They will have acquired proficiency in all elementary-level Chinese communication skills, reaching levels A1 and A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and the corresponding levels of the HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) Chinese certification. Students will also be able to use dictionaries, specific apps, and online resources to practice Chinese independently and to obtain lexical, phonological, and syntactic information.

N.B.: The course is not suitable for native-speaking students who are not already enrolled in one of the following undergraduate degrees: Languages, Markets, and Cultures of Asia and Mediterranean Africa; Foreign Languages and Literatures; International Development and Cooperation. Native-speaking students on exchange / on Erasmus programs, or students coming from other Unibo degree programs, may include the Chinese language course offered in the master's degree program LCIS (Italian Language and Culture for Foreigners).

 

The course consists of three modules:

1) Linguistica cinese: 31068 - LINGUA E LINGUISTICA CINESE 1

Theoretical module (30 hours in the first semester). The language of instruction is Italian. All study materials are in Italian. The final (oral) exam is in Italian

2) Esercitazioni linguistiche: 95469 - ESERCITAZIONE DI LINGUA E LINGUISTICA CINESE 1 - A

Practical module (one entire academic year). The language of instruction is Italian and Chinese. All study materials are in Italian/Chinese.

3) Esercitazioni linguistiche: 95470 - ESERCITAZIONE DI LINGUA E LINGUISTICA CINESE 1 - B

Practical module (one entire academic year). The language of instruction is Italian and Chinese. All study materials are in Italian/Chinese.

The course aims to provide a basic knowledge of Chinese writing, the vowel, consonantal and tonal system as well as the main structures of the written and spoken language.


1) Theoretical module Linguistica cinese: In the lessons, some notions of basic grammar and syntax, which have already been studied in the exercises, will be taken up in greater theoretical depth (including: sentence structure, word order, the relationship between determinant and determinate; the plural/singular contrast; the structural particle de and the nominal syntagma; quantification; verb types; the affirmative, negative and interrogative sentence; the particle le; locators).

In addition, the course will provide a historical background of the evolution of the Chinese language, the fundamentals of Chinese linguistics, the main guidelines of PRC's linguistic policy over time, some problems of learning Chinese as L2.

 

2) & 3) Language Practice Esercitazioni linguistiche: The aim of these courses is to establish a solid foundation in all language skills related to speaking and writing. Exercises are an integral part of the Chinese Language and Linguistics course, therefore, student attendance is essential. Level 1 A language exercises are held three times a week throughout the academic year and are taught by native-speaking instructor Professor HU Guiping. Level 1 A language exercises are held two times a week throughout the academic year and are taught by native-speaking instructor Professor WEN Yan. Students who are unable to attend regularly and have no prior knowledge of the language are encouraged to stay up to date on Virtuale and, if necessary, contact the native-speaking instructors to request an appointment.

Readings/Bibliography

Text used in the practical modules:

Masini et al. Il cinese per gli italiani, Corso di base. Milano: Hoepli, 2010

Recommended dictionary:

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

Bibliography for the theoretical module:

Content will be introduced through PowerPoint presentations posted on the IOL page. In addition, the following texts will be used during the course:

Abbiati, Magda (1998). Grammatica di cinese moderno. Venezia: Cafoscarina (capitoli scelti)

Abbiati, Magda (1992). La lingua cinese. Venezia: Cafoscarina (capitoli scelti)

Arcodia, Giorgio Francesco e Basciano, Bianca (2016). Linguistica cinese. Bologna: Pàtron (capitoli scelti)

Paternicò, Luisa M., Varriano, Valeria e Tian Huiting (2021). Grammatica della lingua cinese. UTET.

Romagnoli, Chiara (2012). Grammatica cinese: Le parole vuote del cinese moderno. Hoepli

 

N.B. For all modules:

The materials commented on during the lectures and published on the course's moodle platform form an integral part of the bibliography.

Teaching methods

Traditional lectures and exercises:

1) Linguistics, grammar and history of the language: Prof.ssa Valeria Zanier START: 10 NOVEMBER - only 1st semester -

•Lingue, Mercati e Culture Asia Or / Sviluppo e Coop internazionale: Lun 11:00-13:00; Mar 11:00-13:00; Mer 11:00-13:00 

2) Language practice : prof. HU Guiping (Esercitazioni 1-A) & WEN Yan (Esercitazioni 1-B) CLASSES WILL START ON SEPTEMBER 29TH

These two courses take place during the entire year

ALL STUDENTS : Esercitazioni 1-A + Esercitazioni 1-B

Esercitazioni 1-A Wednesday 17:00-19:00; Thursday 9:00-11:00; Friday 9:00-11:00

Esercitazioni 1-B Monday 17:00-19:00; Thursday 11:00-13:00; Friday 13:00-15:00

YOU CAN SEE THE TIMETABLE ON THE UNIVERSITY WEBSITE: 

https://corsi.unibo.it/laurea/LingueMercatiCultureAsia/orario-lezioni

https://corsi.unibo.it/laurea/LingueMercatiCultureAsia/orario-lezioni

Assessment methods

The exam is based on the content of the Chinese language and linguistics instructor's lessons and exercises taught by native Chinese instructors. The assessment is based on two sets of tests: 1) Grammatical proficiency and written production test (30 points). 2) Oral Chinese language test (30 points)

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1) The grammatical proficiency and written production test (30 points) consists of two parts: (1A) Written test (20 points, passing threshold 11); (1B) Oral Chinese linguistics test (10 points, passing threshold 6)

(1A) The written test is designed to assess the student's ability to write independently and appropriately use the textbook's vocabulary, with particular attention to everyday topics.

The written exam is divided into two parts:

1A (intermediate) Intermediate Written Exam: The intermediate written exam, held during the winter session, is specifically designed to test knowledge of the characters and basic grammar used in the first 10 units of the textbook; it lasts 60 minutes. The content replicates the exercises proposed in each unit of the textbook, such as:

1. Word composition (组词) Es:（ ）欢

1. Filling the blanks (填空) with options. Es: 我（ ）中国人。a) 去, b） 在, c） 姓, d） 是

1. Filling the blanks (填空) without options. Es: 安娜是 ( )人。 她 ( ) 学习英国文学

1. Sentence construction (组句) Es: 学习 同学 中国 喜欢 和 去 她 不

1. Construction of interrogative sentences (提问) Es: 安娜是上海人。 安娜是………？

1-A-Final) Final Written Exam: The final written exam consists of a translation from Italian to Chinese and a composition, for which at least 150 characters must be used, using a set of assigned words (e.g., 也, 可能, 喜欢, 家, 张, 们, 给) and drawing from the textbook's vocabulary. The final written exam lasts 120 minutes.

Those who pass the midterm written exam may take the final written exam. Those who do not pass or take the midterm exam are required to take both the final written exam and the midterm written exam; for the two written exams taken in the same session, the total duration is 180 minutes.

N.B. The use of a dictionary is not permitted for any of the written exams.

The grade distribution for the written sections is as follows:

Midterm Written Exam: Total score: 5; Passing threshold: 3

Final written exam: Partial total score: 15; Passing threshold: 8

Final written exam: Total score: 20; Passing threshold: 11

The grade of the written exam remains valid for one calendar year. If the midterm exam grade has expired, the full written exam must be retaken. To decline the midterm exam grade, please notify Professor Hu by email in good time. To decline the final written grade, simply re-sit the following session; in these cases, the last grade obtained will be considered valid.

(B) The oral exam for the Chinese Linguistics course aims to assess knowledge of basic notions of Chinese linguistics and grammar. The exam includes a series of questions on the syllabus, which may include: linguistic policy/historical evolution/grammar; the theoretical grammar section will also require analysis of examples, provided by the student or the instructor. A grade may only be declined during the exam.

 

2) Oral Chinese Language Exam (30 points)

 Only students who pass the written exam may take the oral exam. The exam aims to assess the student's ability to express themselves in Chinese on the topics covered in the textbook, with particular attention to everyday topics. Students may only withhold a grade during the exam. The use of a dictionary is not permitted.

 

EXAM FINAL GRADE:

(1) Language and Grammar Skills Tests GRAMMAR/WRITING: 10/30 Prof. Zanier + 20/30 Prof. Hu

(2) ORAL: 30/30 Prof. Hu

FINAL GRADE: Mathematical average of (1) and (2).

Teaching tools

PowerPoint presentations, digital glossaries, online flashcards Quizlet.

Online dictionaries and apps:

Wenlin Software for Learning Chinese, 4.2.2 (per Windows e Mac), can be bought on www.wenlin.com ;
Pleco Software (per iPhone/iPad e Android), freely downloadable from www.pleco.com

Office hours

See the website of Valeria Zanier