31217 - Chinese Philology 1

Learning outcomes

1. Knowledge and Understanding:
   a) Mastery of the fundamental structures of Classical Chinese.
   b) Proficiency in the tools and methodologies for analyzing and translating texts from the Classical Chinese corpus.
2. Application of Knowledge and Understanding:
   a) Ability to identify essential grammatical structures and analyze texts in light of their contextual frameworks.
   b) Skill in selecting the most appropriate tools for the analysis and translation of specific texts.
3. Critical Judgment:
   a) Capacity to discern grammatical structures in previously unseen passages and to analyze and translate texts from the Classical Chinese corpus, employing suitable methodologies.

Course contents

Introduction to Classical Chinese: Syntax and Key Texts

1. Fundamentals of Classical Chinese Syntax
   • Basic sentence structures
   • Function words and particles
2. Philosophical and Literary Commentary Techniques
   • Approaches to analyzing Classical Chinese texts
   • Understanding contex
   • Methods of interpretation and exegesis
3. Analysis of Representative Works (6th-2nd century BCE)  
4. Pre-Tang Period Texts (2nd century BCE - 7th century CE)  
5. Practical Skills
   • Reading and translating selected passages
   • Using reference tools and dictionaries
6. Cultural and Historical Context
   • Intellectual trends of the Classical and Early Imperial periods

This course would aim to provide students with:

• A solid grounding in Classical Chinese grammar and syntax
• Skills in reading and interpreting key texts from the Classical and pre-Tang periods
• An understanding of the major philosophical and literary works of these eras
• The ability to engage with scholarly commentaries and produce their own analyses

The course would combine linguistic training with philosophical and literary study, helping students to appreciate the intricate relationship between language, thought, and culture in Classical Chinese texts.

Readings/Bibliography

A. Andreini, G. Baccini, M. Scarpari, Corso di lingua cinese classica e letteraria, Milano, Hoepli, 2022. (obbligatorio)

M. Scarpari, A. Andreini, Grammatica della lingua cinese classica, Milano, Hoepli, 2020. (consigliato)

 

Highly recommended:
Cheng, Anne. 'History of Chinese Thought.' Turin: Einaudi, 2000. 2 volumes.

 

Additional materials will be recommended by the instructor throughout the course.

Teaching methods

Ex cathedra: Throughout the course, the instructor will guide students in grammatical analysis and in comprehending the texts and their contexts.

Assessment methods

The exam will be oral and will focus on the linguistic and philosophical-literary analysis of the texts studied throughout the course.

Teaching tools

Dictionaries:
1) Grand Ricci:
http://chinesereferenceshelf.brillonline.com/grand-ricci


The Grand Ricci is available on iOS (iPhone, iPad) and Android devices (smartphones and tablets) as a module of the well known (free) Pleco Dictionary that can be bought as an in-app add-on. This "Grand Ricci" module includes the entire content of the Dictionary, but it cannot display yet the very old glyphs (the jiaguwen) which will be added in an upcoming (free) upgrade.


2) Kroll, Paul W., A Student's Dictionary of Classical and Medieval Chinese, Leiden, Brill, 2014.
Available on Pleco.

 

3) https://www.zdic.net/

Additional materials will be recommended by the instructor throughout the course.

Office hours

See the website of Attilio Andreini