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 Classical Japanese 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, 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, excerpted in small texts, 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 structures in Classical Japanese; 2) analysis and translation of phrases or pieces of Japanese premodern literature from different historical periods.
A handbook of Classical Japanese 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 and websites for learning 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
- Akiyama Ken (ed.), Rikai shiyasui kobun, Tokyo: Buneido, 2013
- Other teaching materials will be available on line.
Recommended electronic dictionary:
CASIO “XD-Z7400" (https://casio.jp/exword/products/XD-Z7400/ ) or older model from the series 7400 (IT-JP, JP-IT dictionary included; classical Japanese dictionary not included. An XS-OH23MC content card is required)
or
CASIO “XD-SX4800" (https://casio.jp/exword/products/XD-SX4800/ ) or older from the series 4800 (classical Japanese dictionary included; IT-JP, JP-IT dictionary not included. An XS-SH17MC content card is required).

Written test includes: 1) check of the classic orthography; 2) check of verbs, auxiliaries and adjective paradigms; 3) translation of short sentences and pieces selected from some literary works.
Details on the examination program will be explained in the file "Guide to the examination of Classical Japanese" uploaded on the moodle platform.

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.

Considering the difficulty of Classical Japanese 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 dictionary (printed or electronic edition) that is necessary for learning.

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