ADVANCED CHINESE LANGUAGE FOR THE HUMANITIES 1-MOD.2

The Chinese language course 1.2 is one of the courses characterising the Master’s Degree Programme in Lingue e civiltà dell'Asia e dell'Africa Mediterranea. 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 sectoral languages related to language, culture and literature. They will thus be able to make their linguistic competence a key tool to their future studies and career.

The content of this section is mandatory and is drafted according to the provisions of the so-called "Dublin Descriptors." I am not responsible for the lexicon used here.

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
• Know the key sentences necessary to interact in communication contexts that require knowledge of sectoral languages related to language, culture, literature.
• Have a solid knowledge of the grammatical system of modern Chinese.
• Know a lexicon of about 1800 words and 1200 characters, including terms of the cultural, literary and linguistic fields of study.
2. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
• Be able to correctly use the key sentences necessary to interact in communication contexts that require knowledge of sectoral languages related to cultural, literary and linguistic fields of study.
• Be able to understand written texts on culture, literature and language.
• Be able to use a lexicon of about 1800 words and 1200 characters, including terms used in cultural, literary and linguistic studies.
• Be able to translate correctly into Chinese sentences including complex grammatical structures.
3. Judgement capacity
• Be able to assess the level of one’s language knowledge, skills and abilities.
4. Communication skills
• Be able to communicate the specificities of linguistic and textual analysis using appropriate terminology.
5. Learning skills
• Know how to relate the different contexts of study and apply your knowledge and skills for personal and professional growth.

An excellent command of the Italian language and a Chinese language proficiency corresponding to the level B1+ of the CEFR (Common European Framework of reference for language proficiency).

The course develops the ability to understand, analyse and translate Chinese articles concerned with Chinese culture.
- in class: translation of one or two texts, identifying grammatical aspects, the characteristics of the different language registers, and major translation issues encountered;

Suggested dictionaries
- Wenlin 3.x (www.wenlin.com) or later version.

Chinese texts to be translated and analysed will be uploaded on the course's Moodle page.

- Pleco Software (for iPhone/iPad e Android), basic version available for free download from www.pleco.com; several add-ons available).
- Xinhua zidian, Beijing, Shangwu yinshuguan, 1971 or later edition.
- Casacchia G. and Bai Y., Dizionario Cinese-Italiano, Cafoscarina, Venezia, 2013.
- Han-ying da cidian - Chinese-English Dictionary, ed. by Wu Guanghua, Shanghai, Shanghai Jiaotong Daxue chubanshe, 1993 or later edition, 2 vols.

Further dictionaries for translation into Chinese:
- Dizionario cinese-italiano italiano-cinese, Hoepli, Milano, 2007
- Zhang Shi Hua, SFLEP Dizionario Conciso Italiano-Cinese Cinese-Italiano, Waiyu jiaoyu chubanshe, Shanghai 2006
- Dizionario italiano-cinese - Yi-han cidian, Beijing, Shangwu yinshuguan, 1985 e succ.

The assessment of acquired competencies and skills is conducted through three tests:

- A comprehension and translation test of a Chinese text on cultural topics.
- A conversational test on general and cultural subjects.
- An oral exam consisting of:
- Reading of an academic article chosen by you and agreed upon with me. A PDF copy of the article must be sent to me for approval. It will not be necessary to translate the article or to be able to read it aloud. The student must demonstrate understanding of its content and provide a brief oral summary. I will ask some follow-up questions, inquire about your opinion on the usefulness and quality of the content, and whether you agree or disagree with the author's conclusions.
You can choose the article based on your interests or in preparation for your future thesis, if you already have a topic in mind. All topics consistent with the course of study are appropriate: linguistics, literature (classical, modern, or contemporary), history, religions and philosophy, art, archaeology, cinema, environment, etc.
- Reading, translation, and commentary on the article read during class.

written and oral

The lecturer has a duty to ensure that the rules regarding the authenticity and originality of exam tests and papers are respected. Therefore, if there is suspicion of irregular conduct, an additional assessment may be conducted, which could differ from the original exam description.

Band 18–22: Sufficient knowledge of the grammatical structures of the language. Sufficient listening and interaction skills in advanced communicative contexts.

Band 23–26: Fair knowledge of the grammatical structures of the language. Fair listening and interaction skills in advanced communicative contexts.

Band 27–30: Good or very good knowledge of the grammatical structures of the language. Good or very good listening and interaction skills in advanced communicative contexts.

Honours: Excellent knowledge of the grammatical structures of the language. Excellent listening and interaction skills in advanced communicative contexts.

- 30 hours of reading comprehension, linguistic analysis and translation of Chinese texts;
- 60 hours of conversation training (A);
- 60 hours of training in Italian-Chinese translation (B);
- conversation tutoring (C);
- translation tutoring (D).