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Graduate School of Humanities Department of Languages and Literature Linguistics Field Linguistics Speciality (Credit 1) Intended Year: Intended School: |
Linguistics (Specialized Lecture I)A
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Numbering Code: Course Code: 2026 SpringTerm intensive Ito Classroom E/J科目 (日本語, English) |
| Course Overview |
This course examines the grammatical structure of Classical Japanese (the written form of the Japanese language that developed during the 10th–11th centuries and was used as a literary language until the early 20th century) from the perspective of modern descriptive linguistics. Students will learn a descriptive framework that differs from traditional school grammar, covering verb and adjective inflection, verbal suffixes, particles, and the phonemic system of each major linguistic period. They will also learn how to produce annotated texts consisting of a phonemicization, interlinear morphemic gloss and Modern Japanese paraphrase gloss. Readings will be drawn from classical works such as Taketori monogatari (The tale of the bamboo cutter), Genji monogatari (The tale of Genji), Makura no sōshi (The pillow book) and Konjaku Monogatarishū (Collection of tales from times now past). During the first half of the course, the grammar, phonology, and descriptive conventions of Classical Japanese will be introduced through lectures. During the second half, students will work in groups to analyze selected passages from classical texts and present their analyses, including the phonemicization, interlinear morphemic gloss, grammatical analysis and Modern Japanese translation. Through these activities, students will develop the fundamental skills required to analyze and describe Classical Japanese within a modern descriptive linguistic framework. Course materials are provided primarily in English, while classroom instruction is conducted in Japanese. |
| Last updated | : 2026/7/22 (17:55) |