Professor Marjorie K.M. Chan Dept. of E. Asian Lang. & Lit. The Ohio State University Columbus, OH 43210 U.S.A.

1. Jerry Norman (1988). Chinese. Cambridge U. Press. (Required)
2. James J.Y. Liu (1962). The Art of Chinese Poetry. Chicago U. Press. (Optional).
3. Edwin G. Pulleyblank (1995). Outline of Classical Chinese Grammar. Vancouver: U. of British Columbia Press. (Optional)
4. Hugh M. Stimson (1976). Fifty-Five T'ang Poems: A Text in the Reading and Understanding of T'ang Poetry. New Haven: Far Eastern Publications, Yale U. (Optional).
5. Readings Package (in 208 Cunz Hall).
6. Reference and other resources on Reserve at Main Library - check OSU Libraries' Course Reserves (by Prof/TA or Course) for an on-line list of books placed on Reserve for Chinese 681. (C681 reserved materials are listed online for the current quarter only.)

This course investigates the relationship between modern Chinese and earlier stages in the history of the Chinese language, including its dialects. Also covered briefly are the Chinese writing system and some metrical structures of early poetic traditions.

Chinese 681 (History of the Chinese Language) is designed to introduce graduate students and upper-level undergraduate students in Chinese language and literature to important phonological and grammatical features in different periods in the history of the Chinese language. Rhyme dictionaries and rhyme tables will be examined for their contribution to our understanding of earlier stages in the phonological system of the Chinese language, and of changes in rhyming practices. Development of grammatical features in the history of the language will also be examined. Included as part of the course will be a cursory look at the origin and evolution of the Chinese script, the classification and development of modern Chinese dialects, taboo words and their effect on language change, and the relationship between language and literature. Other topics may also be included.

The course will be conducted through lectures combined with class discussions of assigned readings. Course work includes students' presentation of their take-home assignment and research project.

Students are expected to read and reflect on all assigned readings prior to class, and are expected attend and participate actively in class discussions.

In addition, students are expected to:

1. submit one take-home assignment
2. present an oral version of their reaction paper in the last week of class
3. submit a (circa) 10-page, double-spaced, typed reaction paper, including bibliography and appendices (if applicable).
   

There will be no final examination. Grading will be based on:

Class discussions/participation	20%
One take-home assignment	40%
Reaction paper	40%
	------
	100%

WEEK 1

T 3/31 Introduction and Orientation

R 4/2 Highlights in the History of Chinese Linguistics

Reading: Wang (1989)

Chart 1 (major chronological divisions in Chinese history)

T 4/7 China's Linguistic Neighbors; Periodization of the Chinese Language

Reading: Norman (Ch .1)

Readings: Tai and Chan (In press); Norman (Ch. 2.1)

Table 1 (periodization of Chinese phonology)

R 4/9 Middle Chinese

Readings: Ramsey (1987), pp.116-134; Norman (Ch. 2.2-2.4 and Ch. 7.7)

Table 2 (rhyme books used as sources for periodization)

Yunjing: 36 Initials | Late Middle Chinese: 36 Initials

Grades (Deng): Comparison Across Chinese Dialects

Qieyun Zhizhang Tu: Table 1

Wu 'house' and Wo 'irrigate': Across Chinese Dialects

Take-home Assignment (due on Monday, 27 April 1998)

(Note: Permission in advance from the instructor is required for selecting a (different) verse form from another historical period.)

T 4/14 Middle Chinese (cont'd)

R 4/16 Linguistic Structure and Chinese Poetry

Readings: Liu (1962), pp.20-47; Stimson (1976), pp.22-51

T 4/21 Old Chinese

Readings: Ramsey (1987), pp.134-139; Norman (Ch. 2.5 and Ch. 2.7)

R 4/23 NO CLASS -- M. Chan: Fifth BWLG Conference, Berkeley.

Work on your take-home assignment: due on Monday, 27 April 1998 at 12:00 noon.

T 4/28 Old Mandarin

Readings: Ramsey (1987), pp.139-142; Norman (Ch. 2.6)

Zhongyuan Yinyun: Initials | Comparison with LMC & Modern Beijing

Zhongyuan Yinyun: Finals

R 4/30 Taboos and Language Change

Reading: Stimson (1966)

Supplementary Readings: Li (1982, 1994); Zhang (1985)

F 5/1/98 Room 122 Oxley Hall, 3:30 p.m. Talk by James Milroy (U. of Michigan)

(Try to attend if you don't have class conflicts):

"Social aspects of language change with special reference to the role of gender difference"

T 5/5 The Classical and Literary Languages

Reading: Norman (Ch. 4); Pulleyblank (1995, Ch. 1&2)

Supplementary Reading: Chan and Tai (1994)

R 5/7 The Rise and Development of the Written Vernacular

Reading: Norman (Ch. 5)