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, the student will have a basic knowledge of Chinese language and linguistics. He/she will have acquired competency in all communicative skills in Chinese at the elementary level by reaching levels A1 and A2 of the European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and the corresponding levels of the Chinese HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) certification. The student will also be able to use dictionaries, specific apps and online resources to practise the Chinese language independently and to obtain lexical, phonological and syntactic information.

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) Lettorato: 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) Tutorato: 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.


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, a historical background of the evolution of the Chinese language will be provided, the fundamentals of Chinese linguistics will be illustrated and some problems of learning Chinese as L2 will be examined.

Readings/Bibliography

Text used in the practical modules:

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

Choose one among the following dictionaries:

Zhao Xiuying, Il dizionario di Cinese. Dizionario Cinese-Italiano, Italiano-Cinese, Zanichelli, Bologna, 2013.
Zhang S., Dizionario cinese-italiano italiano-cinese, Hoepli, Milano, 2007
Casacchia G. e Bai Y., Dizionario Cinese-Italiano, Cafoscarina, Venezia, 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)

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: 13 NOVEMBER

STUDENTS ARE SUBVIDEDED INTO TWO GROUPS (CORSO DI LAUREA) THE COURSE ONLY TAKES PLACE IN THE 1ST SEMESTER

•Lingue e Letterature Straniere : Lun 17:00-19:00; Merc 13:00-15:00; Giov 15:00-17:00

•Lingue, Mercati e Culture Asia Or : Lun 15:00-17:00; Merc 15:00-17:00; Giov 13:00-15:00

•Sviluppo e Coop internazionale : Lun 15:00-17:00; Merc 15:00-17:00; Giov 13:00-15:00

2) Language practice : prof.sse HU Guiping (Lettorato) & WEN Yan (Tutorato) INIZIO: 3 OTTOBRE

These two courses take place during the entire year

TUTTI GLI STUDENTI : Esercitazioni 1-A + Esercitazioni 1-B

Esercitazioni 1-A Mar 17:00-19:00; Giov 11:00-13:00; Ven 15:00-17:00

Esercitazioni 1-B Lun 13:00-15:00; Giov 9:00-10:00; Ven 9:00-11:00

NEI SITI DEI CORSI DI LAUREA SONO VISIBILI GLI ORARI E LE AULE:

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

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 lectures given by the professor in Chinese language and linguistics and of the practical classes held throughout the academic year by the native speaker language experts.


1) Test of grammatical competence and written production (30 marks). It consists of two parts:


(A) Written literacy test (20 points, pass mark 12)


(B) Oral examination in Chinese linguistics (10 points, pass mark 6)


(A) The written test I is aimed at assessing the ability to write independently and to use the vocabulary of the text "il Cinese per gli italiani, Vol. I" appropriately, with particular attention to everyday life topics.


The test consists of a composition in Chinese and a translation from Italian to Chinese.


N.B. In the composition, candidates will have to write a short text of at least 150 characters using an assigned set of words (也，可能，喜欢，家，张， 们，给...) and drawing on the vocabulary of the textbook.


The paper lasts a total of 180 minutes. The use of a dictionary is not permitted


The grade for the written test is valid for one calendar year. In order to reject the mark, it is sufficient to reappear at the next session; in such cases, the last mark obtained counts.

(B) The oral exam of Chinese linguistics course aims to test knowledge of the basics of Chinese linguistics and grammar. The test involves a series of questions on the syllabus, which may include: typology/genealogy/historical/grammatical evolution; reading and analysing short sentences in Chinese. Rejection of the grade is only possible during the examination. The use of the Pleco electronic dictionary is permitted for this test only.



2) Oral reading test (30 points)


The test aims to assess the ability to express oneself in Chinese on the topics covered in the text "Chinese for Italians, Vol. I", with particular emphasis on everyday life topics. Rejection of the mark is only possible during the examination. Use of the dictionary is not permitted


Final grade


(1) Linguistic grammatical competence tests GRAMMATICS/SCRITIC: 10/30 Prof. Zanier + 20/30 Prof. Hu


(2) ORAL: 30/30 Prof. Hu


FINAL average maths grade 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