69538 - Japanese Language Mediation

Learning outcomes

Students will familiarize themselves with fundamental problems associated with linguistic mediation between Japanese, Italian and other major Ind-European languages and learn strategies of handling issues.

Course contents

Starting from the basics acquired in the first module of the course, 69537 - LINGUA E MEDIAZIONE GIAPPONESE (C.I.) - LINGUA E CULTURA GIAPPONESE, new linguistic and cultural materials will be presented (Genki: Lesson 12-14).

The students will participate in role play activities in order to improve their communicative skills in realistic everyday life situations. Furthermore, they will conduct other activities (e.g., reading comprehension, listening exercises), utilizing learning tools such as online multi-media materials, in order to develop the various aspects of the linguistic and communicative competence. Finally, they will choose a topic related to Japanese history and culture, collect materials and write up a short term paper. 

Readings/Bibliography

Textbooks
Genki 1&2: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese - second edition (Japan Times)
Genki 1&2: Work Book - second edition (Japan Times)

Materials distributed in class

Optional references
< Dictionaries >
Dizionario giapponese-italiano, italiano-giapponese (Zanichelli)
Kodansha's Furigana English-Japanese Dictionary (Kodansha)

< Grammar >
Matilde Mastrangelo, Naoko Ozawa & Mariko Saito. Grammatica giapponese (HOEPLI)

Teaching methods

lectures, exercises, homeworks

Assessment methods

The final grades will be decided, based on the results of written & oral exams. A term paper and composition assignments will evaluated for extra credit.

The modality of final exams will be determined in the second semester by considering the development of the situation relating to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Teaching tools

class handouts, audio-visual aides, online resources

Office hours

See the website of Motoko Ueyama