31068 - Chinese Language and Linguistics 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

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

N.B. The course is not suitable for native speakers who are not already enrolled in one of the three-year degree programs. Native speakers on exchange or Erasmus programs or from other Unibo degree programs are invited to enroll in the Chinese language course offered in the LCIS (Italian Language and Culture for Foreigners) Master's Degree program.

The course consists of three modules:

31068 - CHINESE LANGUAGE AND LINGUISTICS 1

95469 - CHINESE LANGUAGE AND LINGUISTICS EXERCISES 1 A

95470 - CHINESE LANGUAGE AND LINGUISTICS EXERCISES 1 B

The Language and Linguistics course aims to address some basic notions of morphology and syntax from a theoretical point of view, including: the main morphological rules, the main sentence structures, the order of sentence elements, the relationship between determiner and determinate; the plural/singular contrast; the structural particle de and the noun phrase; quantification; verb types; affirmative, negative and interrogative sentences; verbal aspect and the aspect particles le, zhe and guo; locators.

In addition, the Language and Linguistics course will provide a historical overview of the evolution of the Chinese language (written and spoken) and will outline the main lines of the linguistic policy of the People's Republic of China.

 

Language exercises

 

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

 

Language exercises are an integral part of the Chinese Language and Linguistics course, therefore, student attendance at lessons is essential. Language exercises 1 A are divided into three weekly sessions throughout the academic year and are taught by native speaker Prof. HU Guiping. Language exercises 1 B consist of two weekly sessions throughout the academic year and are taught by native speaker Prof. WEN Yan. Those who are unable to attend regularly and have no previous knowledge of the language are invited to keep up to date on Virtuale and, if necessary, to contact the native speaker teachers to request a meeting.

Readings/Bibliography

Text for exercises:

Masini. F. et al. (2010). Il cinese per gli italiani. Corso base, vol. I. 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

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 Chinese language and linguistics lectures and on the exercises held by native-speaking teachers.

1) Grammar and writing test (30 points). It consists of two parts:

(A) Written test (20 points, pass mark 11)

(B) Oral test of Chinese linguistics (10 points, pass mark 6)

 

(A) The written test aims to assess the ability to write independently and to use the vocabulary of the textbook appropriately, with particular attention to everyday topics. The written test is divided into two parts:

1) Intermediate written test: The intermediate written test, which is 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:

Word composition (组词) E.g.:（）欢

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

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

Sentence construction (组句) E.g.: 学习同学中国喜欢和去她不

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

2) Final written test: the final written test consists of a translation from Italian to Chinese and an essay, 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 on the vocabulary in the textbook. The final written test lasts 120 minutes.

Those who pass the intermediate written test will be eligible to take the final written test. Those who have not passed or have not taken the intermediate test are required to take both the final written test and the intermediate written test; for the two written tests 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 tests.

 

The breakdown of the mark for the written parts is as follows:

 

Intermediate written test Total mark: 5; Pass mark: 3

Partial final written test Total mark: 15; Pass mark: 8

Total final written test Total mark: 20; Pass mark: 11

 

The written test score is valid for one calendar year. If the intermediate test score has expired, it will be necessary to take the entire written test. To reject the intermediate test score, it is necessary to notify Prof. Hu by email in a timely manner. To reject the final written score, it is sufficient to retake the test in the next session; in these cases, the last score obtained will be considered valid.

 

(B) The oral exam for the Chinese linguistics course aims to test students' knowledge of the basics of Chinese linguistics and grammar. The exam consists of a series of questions on the course programme, which may include: language policy / historical evolution / grammar; the presentation of the theoretical part of grammar will also require the analysis of examples, proposed by the student or the teacher. The grade can only be rejected at the time of the exam.

 

2) Chinese language oral exam (30 points)

Only students who have passed the written exam can take the oral exam. The exam aims to assess the ability to express oneself in Chinese on the topics covered in the textbook, with particular attention to everyday life. The grade can only be rejected at the time of the exam. The use of a dictionary is not permitted.

 

Final mark

(1) Grammar/writing tests: 10/30 Prof. Pellin + 20/30 Prof. Hu

(2) Oral exam: 30/30 Prof. Hu

FINAL MARK: mathematical average of (1) and (2).

Teaching tools

Wenlin Software for Learning Chinese, latest version (for Windows e Mac), available at www.wenlin.com ;
Pleco Software (per iPhone/iPad e Android), downloadable for free at www.pleco.com

Office hours

See the website of Tommaso Pellin