CLASSICAL JAPANESE LANGUAGE 2

This is one of the integrative subjects within the "Japan" curriculum of the undergraduate course in "Lingue, Culture e Società dell'Asia e dell'Africa Mediterranea". It contributes to the attainment of the teaching goals of the undergraduate course in the area of language skills and is focused on three main objectives:
1) to understand the diachronic development of Japanese classical language from X to XIX century; 2) to acquire, through the study of the morphology and syntax of Classical Japanese, the necessary tools to read and comprehend several types of texts produced in different historical periods: 3) to develop translation skills from Japanese to Italian.

Knowledge and understanding:
-to know and understand the morphology and syntax of Classical Japanese
-to understand the diachronic development of Japanese language
-to acquire tools for the philological and critical reading of texts written in Classical Japanese
-to know how to use different type of dictionaries (bilingual, monolingual, in print, electronic and on-line)

Applying knowledge and understanding:
- to know how to analyze the morphology and syntax of a text written in Classical Japanese
- to know how to use different type of dictionaries (bilingual, monolingual, in print, electronic and on-line)
- to understand the meaning of a text written in Classical Japanese and translate it into Italian

Making judgements:
-to grasp the differences in the morphology and syntax of texts written in different periods
-to be able to analyze different types of texts from a philological and critical point of view

Communication:
- to be able to translate from Japanese into Italian

Lifelong learning skills:
- to know how to take notes
- to know how to use dictionaries effectively
- to be able to independently study several materials (textbooks, tables, power point slides)
- to be able to translate from Japanese into Italian
- to refine one's ability to use the online teaching platform

A good knowledge of intermediate modern Japanese (level 3 of JLPT or level B1 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)

The course is an introduction to classical Japanese language, its orthography, grammar and sentence structure in particular, designed to captivate students with the Japanese premodern literature written in Classical Japanese. Teacher will read various samples of poetic and prose materials, these excerpted in small pieces and selected to foster students' ability to read and appreciate premodern Japanese literary writings. Lesson will be divided in two parts: 1) introduction to grammar roles and sentence structure in Japanese classical language; 2) analysis and translation of phrases or pieces of Japanese premodern literature from different historical periods. A handbook of Japanese classical language for non native speakers will be recommended for self-study. Other materials will be provided in the teaching on-line platform. Lessons will include also a short introduction to the use of several dictionaries of Classical Japanese.

- A. Komai & T. H. Rohlich, An Introduction to Classical Japanese, Tokyo: Bonjinsha, 1991
- Haruo Shirane,Classical Japanese: A Grammar. New York: Columbia University Press, 2005
- Cristian Pallone, Lingua giapponese classica. Un'antologia dal IX al XIX secolo. Roma: Aracne, 2017
- Teaching materials will be distribuited during the class and will be available on line.

Written test includes: 1) check of the classic orthography; 2) check of verbs morphology (verbs and auxiliaries); 3) check of adjective paradigms; 4) translation of some short sentences; 5) traslation of a short text. The text receives a score in 30/30. The overall vote is the sum of the points obtained in the five exercises.

Frontal lessons with powerpoint presentations.
There will be some exercises and translations assigned, but the main work of the course will be to read and analyze thoroughly the assigned passages, word by word, line by line, using the techniques and knowledge gained in class. Students should come well prepared each time to work through the assigned texts; all words should have been looked up in advanced and a tentative analysis and translation of the passages made.

Italian

Considering the difficulty of Japanese classical language for students of the B.A. course, is warmly suggested to attend the classes that are conceived as practical training for reading texts.
It is also recommended to buy a classical Japanese language dictionary (printed or electronic edition) that is necessary for studing.

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