HINDI LANGUAGE 1

This is the first our of altogether three modules dedicated to the study of the Subcontinent's main and single most important language. The knowledge of it will allow students not only to discover a fascinating subject of study in itself, but most importantly allow them to approach and make use of both written sources and oral communication for an autonomous investigation of all kinds of areas and subjects.
The course intends to provide students with the basic notions concerning the linguistic stucture of the Hindi language, including its morphological, grammatical, and syntactical aspects. The theory will be complemented by a series of brief translations from Hindi into Italian addressing some specific issues treated during the course.

A1 level of knowledge on the scale of the European CEFR value system.
At the end of this first year course, students should be able to grasp the fundamental grammatical and lexical structure of modern Hindi and its principal constituent parts. Knowledge of primary elements pertaining to grammar and syntax and an elementary vocabulary of ca. 500 words should enable students to articulate simple sentences used in the context of a conversation based on practical issues pertaining to everyday life.

No preliminar knowledge required. A basic knowledge of English is helpful for the purpose of consulting additional reference sources, such as grammar books and dictionaries.

The devanagari graphic system and the correct pronunciation of its phonems: vowels and consonants plus conjunct consonants. Singular and plural of nouns and adjectives. Comparative and superlative. The verb. Postpositions, conjunctions, adverbs and numbers. Categories of pronouns. The formation of the clause. Compound verbs.

Reference Grammar:
-P. Caracchi, Grammatica hindi, Torino, Promolibri, 1992.
Course book:
-G. Milanetti - S. T. Gupta, Corso di lingua hindi, Milano, Hoepli, 2008.
Dictionaries:
-M. Chaturvedi & B. Tiwari, A Practical Hindi English Dictionary, New Delhi, National Publishing, 2004.
-R.S. Mc Gregor: Oxford Hindi-English Dictionary, Oxford University Press, successive edizioni.

There will be a written exam (intermediate and final) and an oral exam.
The written exam will focus on translating from Hindi into English/Italian. The oral exam consists of two separate parts and will focus on grammar, reading comprehension and elementary conversation in Hindi.
For further information, please contact the teacher either by making an appointment or by correspondence through e-mail.

Frontal lectures in the classroom.

Italian

Regular attendance during classes is strongly recommended.

written and oral