Linguistics

This course provides a study of the sociolinguistics of the Spanish language. Topics include: sociolinguistics and dialectology; sociolinguistic variation applied to Spanish language study; analysis of phenomena derived from the contact of Spanish with other languages; Spanish in contact with other peninsular languages.

The course offers a general introduction to the history, literature, and cultures of China. Emphasis is placed on the modern period from the nineteenth century onwards. Students develop basic knowledge on modern Chinese history, from the last empire to the republic to the current age of the socialist market economy. The course pays special attention to literature as a key expression of culture but also addresses Chinese linguistics as well as other cultural expressions such as film and philosophy. Throughout the course, theoretical and methodological questions are addressed concerning the study of China in a postcolonial and globalizing world.

The course explores the relationship between language and culture from an evolutionary and current perspective. It discusses the concept of linguistics as a social science and analyzes the phenomenon of linguistic contact in Chile including the various languages and dialects in contact: indigenous languages, Spanish and its socio-dialectal varieties, English, etc.

This course covers grammatical analysis in syntagmatic categories (analysis of grammatical constituents, syntax trees) and the grammar of words. This course is a systematic study of their categories and functions.

Korean sign language is completely different in structure and grammar from the Korean language per se. Korean society is noticeable for linguistic and racial homogeneity, which has led to a low tolerance for the users of foreign languages. Also widespread in Korean society is the pathological approach that recognizes hearing impairment as an abnormal condition requiring medical rehabilitation and normalization. These add to the numerous handicaps and exclusions that the hearing-impaired have to live through in all stages of their life. Learning and sharing sign language is a step towards eliminating the causes of the discrimination and alienation to which the hearing-impaired are exposed. In other words, it helps us better understand the language, lifestyle, and cultures of the specific minority group whose presence in society is otherwise not easily visible. By learning a manual-visual language, students familiar with oral-aural languages obtain a new understanding of human communication systems. They also have an opportunity to appreciate the values and possibilities of Korean sign language by exploring its historical development and methods of word formation, along with diverse subcultures of hearing-impaired communities.

 Why do two translators sometimes produce two very different translations of the same text? Can a translation ever have the same effect as its source text? Why should we study translation theory? What even *is* translation? Through this course, students will explore these and other multi-faceted questions in the field of Translation Studies (TS). 

This course aims to provide a solid foundation in major theories and issues of TS, from historical debates surrounding equivalence and fidelity, to newer perspectives that challenge these well-entrenched concepts. Students will learn to describe and critically evaluate translations and translation strategies. 

Finally, through guided practice activities and a final group translation project, students will be able to experience firsthand the puzzle-like challenges and satisfactions of producing their own translations. 

The undergraduate research program places students in research opportunites to conduct indpendent research under the supervision of a Chinese University of Hong Kong faculty. Students are expected to spend approximately 15 to 20 hours per week in independent research as well as attend lectures and labs.