Okayama University

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Chinese, English, French, and German Linguistics and Literatures

As its name suggests, this department is comprised of courses in the linguistics and literatures of Chinese, English, French, and German-speaking cultures. We also offer courses in the languages themselves. The following summarizes what we do and offer.

Chinese

Our Chinese section covers literatures from various periods, most notably including Lu-Xun. In addition, we study how Japanese literature is read in China. Our linguistics section studies the Chinese language from comparative perspectives, especially comparing Chinese and Japanese. We address various questions, such as why Lu-Xun is called a master writer, or how Chinese people read Haruki Murakami’s works.

English

Our English section covers American and British literatures and linguistics of the English language. Courses in American and British literature involve reading and discussing literary works from various periods, and explore the history of American and British literatures. English linguistics courses focus specifically on generative syntax and understanding what it is that native speakers know about their language, how they acquire it, and how it has evolved in the human species.

French

Our French section covers French literatures and the linguistics of the French language. French literature courses focus on works in the Renaissance period (e.g. Ronsard) and Pre-Romantic period (e.g. Senancourt). French linguistics courses conduct contrastive studies between French and Japanese from the perspective of the syntax-semantics (or syntax-pragmatics) interface.

German

What comes to your mind upon hearing the word “Germany”? The country has produced culture that goes far beyond time and space, and gives us a love for human beings and the nature. In this field, students come to understand works of Goethe, Schiller, Novalis, Grimm, Heine, Rilke, Thomas Mann, Hesse, Kafka, Grass, Ende, and others. Students also come to be aware of German culture through masterpieces of music, fine arts, and films.