JAPANESE LANGUAGE 2 MOD.2

This course is one of the "characterizing" courses of the second year of the curriculum "Japan" of the course "Languages, Cultures and Societies of Asia and Mediterranean Africa".
Its formative objectives belong to the field of language learning.
The objectives of the course are: to acquire knowledge of elementary Japanese grammar; to acquire basic skills in reading, writing and oral production in Japanese; to acquire knowledge and skills in metalinguistic analysis of the Japanese language and in translation from Japanese into Italian.
The level students should reach at the end of the course is around level A2 of the CEFR (between level N4 and N3 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test).
This course is part of the Japanese language programme; it builds on the skills acquired in "Japanese Language 1" and "Japanese Language 2.1" and prepares 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 Japanese.
- To complete the knowledge of the writing system (with the acquisition of 242 new kanji) and vocabulary at the elementary level.
- To know and understand how the grammatical structures of elementary Japanese work.
- To know and understand variations in the register and communicative pragmatics of elementary Japanese.
- To know and understand the key concepts and basic terminology needed to scientifically describe the phenomena studied in class.

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

3. Making judgements:
- To be able to express basic concepts in Japanese and give examples to support or refute them
- To be able to make translation choices on the basis of information provided in class
- To critically examine common myths and prejudices about the Japanese language (e.g. alleged untranslatability, opacity, etc.).

4. Communication:
- Written and oral comprehension, production and oral interaction as required by level A2 of the CEFR
- To be able to interact critically and respectfully with peers, the teacher and the language instructors in class

5. Lifelong learning skills:
- To be able to take effective notes
- 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 in order 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 (30 hours);
Writing MOD. 2A;
Oral production MOD. 2B
Grammar exercises MOD. 2C
Free conversation MOD. 2D
Grammar exercises based on the "Bunka" textbook MOD. 2E

Attendance, although not compulsory, is strongly recommended.

Compulsory grammar. One among:
① Yoko Kubota, Grammatica di Giapponese Moderno, Venezia, Cafoscarina, 1989;
② Matilde Mastrangelo, Naoko Ozawa, Mariko Saito, Grammatica Giapponese (seconda edizione), Milano, Hoepli, 2016

Suggested further readings:
③ Makino Seichi, Michio Tsutsui, A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar, The Japan Times, 1989
④ 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 );

Manual:
⑤ Shin Bunka Shokyu Nihongo (vol.II), ed. italiana a cura di S. Dalla Chiesa, Venezia, Cafoscarina, 2004;

CEL textbooks

* Suggested electronic dictionary:
model CASIO “XD-Y7400" (http://casio.jp/exword/products/XD-Y7400/ ) or older model from the series 7400 (ITA-JAP, JAP-ITA dictionary included; classical Japanese dictionary not included.)


model Casio “XD-Y6500" (http://casio.jp/exword/products/XD-Y6500/ ) or older from the series 6500 (classical Japanese dictionary included; ITA-JAP, JAP-ITA dictionary not included. An XS-SH17MC cartridge is required).

This Japanese language course is divided into two semesters.

At the end of the first semester there will be
1. a writing and grammar test on a computer.
This test does not give a numerical score, but only an "idoneità" judgement, which is necessary to take the test in the second semester.

At the end of the second semester there is a final test consisting of
1. a written test of kanji and grammar without the use of a dictionary - 35 min;
2. a written translation from Japanese into Italian with a dictionary - 90 min;
3. an oral examination consisting of: a reading comprehension test, questions on the grammar studied during the course, conversation and role-play.
The final grade will be the average of the 30/30 marks obtained in each of the three tests.

The 18 credits associated with this course are obtained after passing the intermediate and final exams.
The "idoneità" obtained in Part I (intermediate) is valid until the completion of Part II (final), at the latest by the January "appello" of the following year.
In the event of failure to pass Part II on the January appeal, the student will have to repeat the examination of the first part and will be able to do so from the second "appello" of January.

written and oral

The aim of the exam is to assess the achievement of the A2+ level of the CEFR, corresponding to the N4/N3 levels of the JLPT. The evaluation will focus on basic skills such as understanding and producing simple sentences, mastery of elementary grammar and vocabulary, and oral comprehension in everyday situations. The grading scale in thirty points is as follows:
18-19: Sufficient
The student has a minimal knowledge 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 but difficult. Written production is rudimentary, with short sentences that are not completely grammatically correct. The translation is partially correct, with obvious errors and often unclear Italian sentences.
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, but not always fluent. The translation is understandable but contains 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 or kanji errors. The translation is clear, with few mistakes, maintaining the original meaning of the Japanese text. The sentences in Italian are fluent, but there may be small inaccuracies in word choice or syntax.
27-28: Excellent
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 easy, and written production is well-organized. The translation is very good, with slight errors. The student can translate correctly while maintaining both the meaning and the tone of the Japanese text. The linguistic choices in Italian are appropriate, and the sentences sound natural.
29-30: Outstanding
The student has a solid understanding and use of Japanese at the 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. The translation is very good, with slight errors. The student is able to translate correctly, maintaining both the meaning and tone, with appropriate linguistic choices.
30 with honors: Excellent with honors
The grade 30 with honors is awarded to students with an excellent command of Japanese at the A2+ level. The student is able to use elementary grammar precisely and fluently, with flawless oral and written comprehension. The translation is accurate, fluent, and natural. The student demonstrates a solid knowledge of the Japanese language and a good command of Italian, being able to convey even the cultural nuances of Japanese appropriately. There are no significant errors in word 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.