JAPANESE LANGUAGE 2 MOD.2

This course is one of the characterizing teachings of the second year of the "Japan" curriculum of the course "Languages, Cultures and Societies of Asia and Mediterranean Africa".
Its formative objectives belong to the area of language skills learning.
The objectives of the course are: to provide knowledge of elementary-level Japanese grammar; to provide basic skills for reading, writing and oral production in Japanese; to provide knowledge and skills for the metalinguistic analysis of the Japanese language and for the translation from Japanese into Italian.
The level that students should reach at the end of the course should be around an A2+ level of the CEFR (between level N4 and N3 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test).
This class is part of the Japanese language program; it builds on the skills acquired in the "Japanese language 1" and "Japanese language 2.1" classes and prepares the students to continue with "Japanese language 3.1" in their third year.

1. Knowledge and understanding
- to complete the knowledge of the grammatical structures of elementary-level Japanese
- to complete the knowledge of elementary-level writing system (with the acquisition of 242 new kanji) and vocabulary
- to know and understand the functioning of the grammatical structures of elementary-level Japanese
- to know and understand variations in the register and communication pragmatics of elementary-level Japanese
- to know and understand key concepts and the essential terminology required to describe in a scientific way the phenomena studied during the class

2. Applying knowledge and understanding:
- to know how to identify grammatical categories and their properties
- to demonstrate a general understanding of basic grammar structures
- to be able to describe constructions and grammatical phenomena studied during classes by correctly using the terminology and the basic tools of syntactic analysis
- to know how to interact in the communicative situations described by the A2 level of the CEFR
- to know how to understand and produce oral and written texts in agreement with the A2 level of the CEFR
- to be able to translate elementary-level written texts from Japanese into Italian, following the instructions provided during the course
- to be able to use the electronic dictionary and other translation tools

3. Making judgements:
- to be able to express elementary concepts and produce examples to support or refute them in Japanese
- to be able to autonomously produce translation choices on the basis of the indications provided during class
- to be able to critically test current myths and prejudices about the Japanese language (eg presumed untranslatability, opacity, etc.)

4. Communication:
- written and oral comprehension and production skills and oral interaction required by the A2 level of the CEFR
- to be able, during classes, to interact with one's peers, with the teacher and with the CELs in a critical and respectful way

5. Lifelong learning skills:
- to be able to take notes pertinently and effectively
- to be able to consult the texts and reference materials suggested in the course bibliography
- to be able to develop the skills acquired in the course to undertake higher studies.

Having achieved the learning results of the "Japanese language 1" class.
Having achieved (even without having passed its intermediate test) the learning results of the "Japanese language 2.1" class.
Knowledge of the basic categories of sentence analysis.

Elementary grammar notions, reading comprehension and translation exercises from Japanese into Italian (30 hours: Giuseppe Pappalardo);
Writing MOD. 2A (30 hours)
Oral production MOD. 2B (30 hours)
Grammar exercises MOD. 2C (30 hours)
Free conversation in small groups MOD. 2D (30 hours)
Grammar exercises based on the main textbook MOD. 2E (30 hours).

Attendance, although not compulsory, is strongly recommended.
No additional readings are required for non-attending students.

Main textbook:
• Shin Bunka Shokyu Nihongo (vol. II), ed. italiana a cura di S. Dalla Chiesa, Venezia, Cafoscarina, 2004.

CEL Textbook:
• Shin perapera, Venezia, Cafoscarina (2025/2026)
• Dispensa: Shin surasura, Venezia, Cafoscarina (2025/2026)
• Dispensa: Yoi doooooon, Venezia, Cafoscarina (2025/2026)
• Dispensa: Jan Ken Pon!, Venezia, Cafoscarina (2025/2026).

Reference grammars. One between:
• Yoko Kubota, Grammatica di Giapponese Moderno, Venezia, Cafoscarina, 1989;
• Matilde Mastrangelo, Naoko Ozawa, Mariko Saito, Grammatica Giapponese (seconda edizione), Milano, Hoepli, 2016.

Suggested further readings:
• Makino Seichi, Michio Tsutsui, A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar, The Japan Times, 1989
• Shin Shokyu Nihongo Lingua Giapponese, Corso introduttivo I, ed. italiana a cura di S. Dalla Chiesa, Venezia, Cafoscarina, 2005 (N.B. Versione elettronica in http://jplang.tufs.ac.jp/account/login );
• Takako Toda, Giuseppe Pappalardo, Pronuncia e accento nella lingua giapponese. Teoria ed esercizi, Milano, Hoepli, 2020.


Suggested electronic dictionary:
model CASIO “XD-Z7400" (https://casio.jp/exword/products/XD-Z7400/ ) or older model from the series 7400 (ITA-JAP, JAP-ITA dictionary included; classical Japanese dictionary not included.)

or

model Casio “XD-SX4800" (https://casio.jp/exword/products/XD-SX4800/ ) or older from the series 4800 (classical Japanese dictionary included; ITA-JAP, JAP-ITA dictionary not included. An XS-SH17MC content card is required).

The course of Japanese language is held in two semesters.

At the end of the first semester there will be:
1. a writing and grammar test performed on the computer.
This test does not provide a numerical score, but only an "idoneità" judgment, required to take the second semester test.

At the end of the second semester there will be a final test consisting of:
1. a written test of kanji (15 readings and 15 writings) and grammar (18 close questions; 8 multiple choice; 2 sentences of Italian-Japanese translation) without the aid of the dictionary - 35 min;
2. a Japanese-to-Italian written translation with the help of the dictionary - 90 min;
3. an oral exam featuring: a reading comprehension test, questions on the grammar examined during the course, conversation and role play.
The final grade will be determined by the average of the 30/30 grades obtained in each of the three tests.


The 18 credits associated with this class will be achieved after passing the intermediate and final exam.
The "idoneità" achieved in part I (intermediate) will be valid until the completion of part II (final) by and no later than the January appello of the following year.
In case of failure to pass part II on the January appello, the student will have to take again the exam of the first part and will be able to do it starting from the second appello of January.

written and oral

The goal of the exam is to assess the achievement of level A2+ of the CEFR, corresponding to levels N4/N3 of the JLPT. The evaluation will focus on basic skills such as understanding and producing simple sentences, mastering elementary grammar and vocabulary, and oral comprehension in everyday situations. The grading scale in thirties is as follows:

18-19: Sufficient
The student has a minimal understanding of grammatical structures and a limited vocabulary but is able to communicate simply in everyday situations. Oral comprehension is based on very simple and easily understandable sentences, and reading short texts is possible, though with difficulty. Written production is rudimentary, with short sentences that are not completely grammatically correct. Translation is partially correct, with evident errors and Italian sentences that are often unclear.

20-23: Fair
The student has an adequate understanding of elementary grammar and everyday vocabulary. They can express themselves with simple sentences and answer direct questions. Reading short texts is good, though not always fluent. Translation is understandable, but there are errors that compromise the fluency of the Italian text, with inaccuracies in word choice and sentence adaptation.

24-26: Good
The student has a good command of A2+ level grammatical structures and a vocabulary that allows them to handle various everyday situations. Oral comprehension is generally good, with the ability to understand simple sentences in familiar contexts. Written production is clear, with some grammatical errors or kanji issues. Translation is clear, with few mistakes, maintaining the original meaning of the Japanese text. Italian sentences are fluent, though there may be small inaccuracies in word choice or syntax.

27-28: Very Good
The student has a good ability to express themselves and understand Japanese clearly and precisely in everyday situations. Oral comprehension is good, with fluent responses and no major difficulties. Reading more complex texts is manageable. The translation is very good, with slight errors. The student is able to translate correctly while maintaining both the meaning and tone of the Japanese text. Linguistic choices in Italian are appropriate, and sentences are natural.

29-30: Excellent
The student has a solid understanding and use of Japanese at A2+ level, able to communicate in everyday situations, even in slightly more complex contexts. Oral comprehension is clear, and the student can understand more elaborate conversations and announcements. Reading texts of medium complexity is fluent, and written production is well-organized with good use of kanji. Translation is very good, with slight mistakes. The student can translate correctly, maintaining meaning and tone, with appropriate linguistic choices.

30 with honors: Outstanding
The grade 30 with honors is awarded to those who have an excellent command of Japanese at the A2+ level. The student can use elementary grammar precisely and fluently, with impeccable oral and written comprehension. The translation is precise, fluent, and natural. The student demonstrates a solid knowledge of the Japanese language and a good command of Italian, able to convey even the cultural nuances of Japanese appropriately. There are no significant errors in lexical choice or grammatical structures.

Frontal classes of grammar and translation.
Conversation in Japanese in small groups.
Study material (e.g. powerpoint presentations) are available on the moodle platform.

The students are strongly advised to take the "tutorato specialistico" that will be activated during the II semester.

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "International cooperation" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development