31312 - Chinese Linguistics and Language 3

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, the student is competent in all communicative skills in Chinese at the intermediate level of the parameters set by the relevant authorities. The student has a thorough knowledge of the linguistics of Chinese.

Course contents

At the end of the course, students will be proficient in all Chinese communication skills between the intermediate and advanced levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and the corresponding levels of the Chinese HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) certification. They will also have gained an in-depth knowledge of Chinese linguistics and will be able to read, understand and analyse intermediate and advanced texts independently.

 

The course consists of three modules:

31312 CHINESE LANGUAGE AND LINGUISTICS 3 - 9 credits

95474 CHINESE LANGUAGE AND LINGUISTICS EXERCISES 3 B

B3552 CHINESE LANGUAGE AND LINGUISTICS EXERCISES 3 C

The lectures aim to provide metalinguistic knowledge through the introduction of theoretical aspects designed to provide the basis for understanding advanced syntactic structures, some belonging to moderately formal written texts, others to colloquial oral productions. Metalinguistic reflection will be combined with application through analysis and comprehension activities. In this way, students consolidate the basics learned in the Chinese Language and Linguistics 2 course and are guided towards an in-depth knowledge of language structures and their functions in very different contexts.

 

Language exercises

Language exercises are an integral part of the Chinese Language and Linguistics course, therefore, student attendance at lessons is essential. Language exercises are divided into three weekly sessions throughout the academic year and are taught by native speakers.

The exercises aim to establish a solid foundation in all language skills related to spoken and written language.

Readings/Bibliography

Text for exercises:

Masini. F. et al. (2010). Il cinese per gli italiani. Corso intermedio, vol. II. Hoepli.

Masini. F. et al. (2023). Comunicare in cinese. Corso avanzato, vol. III. Hoepli.

Recommended dictionary:

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

Adopted texts for grammar:

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

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

Arcodia, Giorgio Francesco e Basciano, Bianca (2016). Linguistica cinese. Pàtron.

For each module:

The teaching materials discussed at lessons and uploaded in Virtuale are part of the course.

Teaching methods

Lessons based on texts proposed by the teacher and analysed in class; illustration of structures through metalinguistic reflection, accompanied by the reading of various scientific sources provided by the teacher on Chinese grammar.

Assessment methods

The exam is based on the content of the lectures given by the Chinese linguistics professor and the content of the tutorials with the teaching assistants.

 

Assessment methods

The exam consists of two parts:

1) Grammar and writing skills tests (30 points):

A) Language skills section (20 points, pass mark 12 points): Written test, consisting of an essay, aimed at assessing knowledge of the topics covered by the teaching assistants. It consists of two parts, the first focusing on the content of the first semester (Mid-term 1) and the second on the content of the second semester (Mid-term 2). The two mid-terms can also be taken in separate sessions. Partial 1 is available starting from the January-February exam session.

The grades for the partial exams are valid for one calendar year (4 sessions). To reject the grade for the written exam, it is sufficient to retake the exam in the next session; in such cases, the last grade obtained will be considered valid.

B) Linguistics section (10 points, pass mark 6 points): Oral exam aimed at assessing the grammatical skills acquired. It consists of illustrating at least three grammatical structures; it will also require the analysis of examples proposed by the student or the teacher.

The prerequisite for admission to the oral proficiency test is to have obtained 18 points (adding linguistics and written test, A + B).

 

2) Oral production test (30 points): A reading and conversation test with the tutors. The oral mark can only be rejected at the time of the exam.

 

Final mark

The final mark is the mathematical average of the marks obtained in the grammar and written production tests (1, A+B) and the mark obtained in the oral production test (2).

Teaching tools

Wenlin Software for Learning Chinese, llatest version (for Windows e Mac), available on www.wenlin.com ;
Pleco Software (per iPhone/iPad e Android), free downloadable at www.pleco.com (the purchase of at least a bundle is recommended).

Monolingual dictionaries available at gongjushu.cnki.net through Almastart (the list of free dictionaries will be posted on Virtuale).

Office hours

See the website of Tommaso Pellin