CHINESE LANGUAGE 1 (I)

The Chinese language module 1.1 ((LM008I) ) is one of the courses characterizing the Master’s Degree Programme in Languages and Civilizations of Asia and North Africa (Chinese). It aims to provide students with intermediate-advanced language tools and skills. The goal is to make them possible to apply their language skills and abilities in communicative situations and in reading texts that require knowledge of a language of good quality related to general and cultural fields. They will thus be able to make their linguistic competence a key tool to understand and interpret Chinese society and culture under many different perspectives.

To achieve a level of language proficiency equivalent to level B2+ of the CEFR (Common European framework of reference for language proficiency). In particular:

1. Knowledge and understanding
To know the key sentences necessary to interact in communication contexts that require knowledge of both a good general language and a good cultural terminology.
To have a solid knowledge of the grammatical system of modern Chinese.
To master a lexicon of about 2100 words and 1450 characters, including terms referring to various cultural contexts.

2. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
To be able to correctly use the key sentences necessary to interact in communication contexts that require knowledge of a language of good quality related to general and cultural fields.
To be able to understand articles and essays on cultural topics, as far as not specifically demanding.
To get hold of and be able to use in writing a lexicon of about 2100 words and 1450 characters, including terms referring to various cultural contexts.
To be able to translate correctly into Chinese sentences including complex grammatical structures.

3. Capacity of judgement
To be able to assess the level of one’s language knowledge, skills and abilities.

4. Communication skills
To be able to communicate the specificities of linguistic and textual analysis using appropriate terminology.

5. Learning skills
To know how to relate the different contexts of study and apply your knowledge and skills for personal and professional growth.

To have a very good theoretical and practical knowledge of the Italian language: they must be able to express themselves correctly both in writing and in oral form, and master the tools of grammatical analysis and logical analysis.
To have a Chinese language proficiency equivalent to level B1+ of the CEFR (Common European framework of reference for language proficiency).
Ta have a good knowledge of the history of Chinese civilization.

The course develops the ability to understand and translate Chinese articles and essays on cultural topics. It also provides oral skills in geneal and cutlural fields and strengthens the ability to translate into Chinese sentences including complex grammatical structures. In particular it offers:
- Reading comprehension and translation of Chinese texts on issues related to the society and the culture of modern and contemporary China: 30 hours of theory and practice;
- training for interaction in general and cultural contexts, with analysis of grammar and translation problems: 60 hours of practice A (conversation);
- training in Chinese translation of sentences including complex grammatical structures: 60 hours of practice B (translation);
- conversation tutoring: practice C;
- translation tutoring: practice D.

Compulsory texts

The Chinese texts that will be used during the lessons are available at the URL https://moodle.unive.it/ in the section “Lingua cinese 1 mod. 1 [LM005I] - prof. F. A. Greselin”. More materials will be available at the same URL, in the sections referring to the Chinese teachers who collaborate with the course.

- Niu Guoqiang (2005). Yi-Han fanyi jiaocheng. Dispensa di traduzione dall’italiano in cinese. Venezia: Cafoscarina.
- Casacchia, Giorgio; Bai Yukun (2013). Dizionario Cinese-Italiano Venezia: Cafoscarina; or Wu Guanghua (ed.) (1933). Han-Ying da cidian - Chinese-English Dictionary. 2 vols. Shanghai: Shanghai Jiaodong Daxue chubanshe.
- Ma Jianfei; Zhu Ziyi; Zheng Rui (2008). Short-Term Spoken Chinese Advanced - Textbook – Hanyu kouyu sucheng: Gaoji pian 汉语口语速成 高级篇. Beijing: Beijing Language and Culture University Press.

Supplementary suggested dictionaries

- Wenlin Software for Learning Chinese, 4.2.2 (per Windows e Mac), that can be purchased at the site www.wenlin.com : Ca' Foscari students can enjoy a preferential price.
- Pleco Software (for iPhone/iPad and Android), that can be downloaded for free (for add-ons payment is required) from the site www.pleco.com;
- Line Dictionary, www.linedict.com;
- Ichachanet web dictionary, www.ichacha.net/;
- Dizionario e traduttore online ICIBA, www.iciba.com/;
- Baidu baike, http://baike.baidu.com/ .

The verification of acquired abilities and skills is carried out through three tests:
- an oral test of reading comprehension and translation of a Chinese text on cultural or general issue;
- a conversation on general and cultural topics
- a translation into Chinese of sentences including complex grammatical structures.
The use of dictionaries is not allowed.
To pass the exam it is necessary to obtain a minimum mark of 6/10 in each of the three tests.

Teaching is organized in:
a) front lessons;
b) writing and conversation practice aimed at building and consolidating the knowledge, skills and competences necessary to meet the goal of the course;
c) tutoring aimed at discussing and clarifying specific language problems that emerged during the teaching.

Italian

From the beginning of the lessons to the exams, at the webpage https://moodle.unive.it/ , in the section “Lingua cinese 1 mod.1 [LM005I] - prof. F. A. Greselin”, students will also find all sorts of useful information on the course itself, as well as additional readings, hints for a correct translation, relevant audiovisual materials, etc. The updating of this Moodle space will be carried out by the teacher regularly.

written and oral