CLASSICAL CHINESE LANGUAGE 2

This is one of the electives courses within the 'Cina' curriculum of the Corso di Laurea in "Lingue, Culture e Società dell'Asia e dell'Africa Mediterranea" (interpretariato e traduzione; indirizzo umanistico)

Consolidation of classical Chinese syntax, in-depth study of exegetical literature from the imperial era and identification of suitable tools for textual analysis

Knowledge of classical Chinese grammar, of literary Chinese and of classical Chinese thought.

The Shuowen jiezi 說文解字, written by Xu Shen 許慎 during the Eastern Han dynasty, is one of the essential works in traditional Chinese lexicography and philology. Its analysis of Chinese characters' structure and the classifying principles on which it is structured had a major influence on the understanding of the Chinese writing system thorughout the imperial period. Through the analysis of its famous Postface (Xu 敘), the course will examine the way in which Xu Shen analyses the origins and the development of writing and how he describes the main formation and organisation principles of this writing system.

Following and introduction to the Shuowen jiezi, its author and the historical period in which the work was written, the students will be guided in the reading and the philological analysis of the Postface. Special attention will be paid to the reconstruction of the history of writing done by Xu Shen and on the traditional classification of the liushu 六書 («sei modalità di formazione e impiego dei caratteri»). Moreover, the reading of the text will offer the chance to examine in depth some of the crucial developments of the Chinese writing system and of the traditional Chinese lexicography.

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

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

Xu Shen 許慎, Shuowen jiezi zhu 說文解字注, comm. Duan Yucai 段玉裁, Shanghai: Shanghai Guji Chubanshe 上海古籍出版社, 1988.

Xu Shen 許慎, Shuowen jiezi jinshi 說文解字今釋, comm. Tang Kejing 湯可敬, Shanghai: Shanghai guji chubanshe, 2018.

Additional material will be provided by the instructor via MOODLE.

The exam will be a written test with open questions concerning subjects and texts dealt with during the course.

written

The instructor is responsible for ensuring the authenticity and originality of all examinations and coursework. In cases of suspected academic misconduct, an additional on-site assessment may be required during the exams, which may differ from the standard format.

Excellent (30 cum laude)
The candidate demonstrates an exceptionally thorough and interdisciplinary grasp of the subject matter, which is understood and reworked with complete autonomy and originality. The use of language is masterful, the ability to make cross-disciplinary connections is outstanding, and critical reflection is expressed with clarity, articulation, and persuasiveness.

Very Good (29–30)
The preparation is characterized by broad and in-depth knowledge of the content, reworked with confidence and independence, enriched by personal insights. The ability to reflect and communicate is excellent, though minor imperfections may occasionally appear.

Distinction (27–28)
Knowledge is complete and well-developed, with secure and thoughtful reworking of the material. Reflective and expressive abilities are notable, demonstrating mastery of the subject and clarity in presentation.

Good (24–26)
The candidate shows correct and often complete knowledge of the content, which is understood and reworked with reasonable confidence. Reflective and expressive abilities are good, though some uncertainty may remain.

Fair (21–23)
Knowledge is more than sufficient or fair, with reworking that still shows some uncertainty. Reflective and expressive abilities are substantial or fair, though there is room for improvement.

Sufficient (18–20)
Preparation is marked by sufficient or uncertain knowledge of the content, which still needs to be consolidated and is reworked with uncertainty. Reflective and expressive abilities are barely sufficient or sufficient, with clear potential for growth.

Insufficient (≤17)
The preparation does not reach the threshold of sufficiency: content is known in a fragmented and incomplete manner, comprehension is partial, and reworking is deficient. Reflective and expressive abilities are inadequate, with knowledge insufficient to address the proposed issues effectively.

The course will consist of fifteen lectures

In order to be able to take the exam, students will need to have passed modules 1 and 2 of Classical Chinese Language