This course gives an introduction to linguistically interesting aspects, both historical and modern, of Modern Standard Chinese and Chinese dialects. The course will be of particular interest to students who wish to learn more about how the Chinese language is structured and functions, and especially to those who wish to teach English to Chinese speakers, and Chinese to English speakers. It will also be of value to students of Chinese societies in general.

Topics:
1. Structure of Modern Standard Chinese: Phonology (Sounds), Morphology (Word Structure), Syntax (Sentence Structure), Semantics (Meanings).
2. Modern Dialectology: Main linguistic characteristics of three major groups (Wu, Min, Yue).
3. Historical Linguistics: Genetic affiliation. Reconstruction from the modern dialects. Ancient Chinese (Traditional yinyunxue: Rhyme books and tables). Archaic Chinese. The writing system.

Depending on how well they satisfy the requirements of the course, students will be able to:

1. Take any piece of Modern Standard Chinese and describe professionally its Sounds, Word Structure and Sentence Structure, applying the grammatical terminology and analytical techniques they have learned in the course.
2. Identify three of the main non-Mandarin dialects (Wú; Min; Yuè) by their characteristic sounds and word-structure.
3. Read descriptions of sound inventories in Chinese.
4. Make sense of the layout and significance of traditional yÄ«nyùnxué source materials like Rhyme books (yùnshÅ«) & Rhyme tables (yùntú).

Two assignments (50%), test (20%) and essay (30%).

Two lectures and one tutorial

This course may be taken by students who have completed Introduction to the Study of Language (Ling1001/2001/6001) and normally Sounds of the World's Languages (Ling1010/2010/6010) or Introduction to Syntax (Ling1003/2003). Students who have not done these units may also be allowed to enroll; they should see Dr Rose.

The course is chiefly intended for second and third-year students, but special permission may be given for first-year students. Knowledge of some Chinese is desirable but not compulsory. (Students will be taught how to extract phonological data from sources in Chinese, and the use of a Chinese dictionary.) Chinese Linguistics is accepted by the Faculty of Asian Studies as an advanced unit relevant to the degree in the field of China Studies and may be incorporated into the honours program in the Faculty.

Norman, Jerry: Chinese [10th printing], Cambridge University Press, 1988.