Specialisations
Chinese Studies (CH)
The curriculum consists of three major areas: Chinese literature, Chinese history, and Chinese philosophy. It provides students with comprehensive training in both classical and modern Chinese Studies. Topics covered include Chinese religions and thoughts in ancient China, business management and dealings in Chinese context, classical and modern literature, film and cultural studies. Through these areas, the Department trains students to develop independent and critical thinking. Although Mandarin is the medium of instruction, some modules are taught in English. Graduates of the Department are always well sought after as they are effectively bilingual. Both the public and private sectors provide ample employment opportunities, especially in areas such as education, mass media, commerce, and the arts.
Chinese Language (CL)
The curriculum consists of Chinese linguistics and translation. Students will learn the nature of the Chinese language, sound and grammar system, formation of Chinese ‘words', origin of Chinese characters, Chinese rhetoric, pragmatic use of Chinese in conversations, etc. This will provide students with a good understanding of the language. Through these areas, the Department trains students to develop independent and critical thinking. Although Mandarin is the medium of instruction, some modules are taught in English. Graduates of the Department are always well sought after as they are effectively bilingual. Both the public and private sectors provide ample employment opportunities, especially in areas such as education, mass media, commerce, and the arts.
Translation (TRA)
The programme aims to provide students with a good foundation in the theoretical knowledge and practical skills of Chinese translation. Students will be introduced to the history of translation and the theoretical issues in translation. They will learn the techniques of translating different genres ranging from news articles, business correspondents, advertisements, to legal contracts and literary works. They will be able to choose their own fields of specialisation in project work and independent studies. Students who graduate from the programme should have a good overall understanding of the theoretical issues and know-how of translating different genres. They should also be competent in their own areas of specialization.
The Translation programme is currently only available as a minor. To enhance their Chinese language ability and knowledge on the subject, students taking Chinese Translation as a minor are encouraged to consider taking Chinese Studies (CH) as a major.
Interpreting (INT)
The Interpreting minor will give students greater opportunity to strengthen and apply their knowledge of Chinese language and literature via an oral practice component, complementing the existing text-based training. We envision that students in the programme will feel empowered to take on roles with greater requirements for public speaking or inter-cultural communication, not only as interpreters, but also as company representatives who interact with Chinese enterprises, as civil servants who engage the Chinese-speaking community, as scientific and technological experts who can be effective public speakers, as media personalities, among others.
Through the programme, students will gain a basic understanding of, and sensitivity to language structure in both written and spoken language in theory and through practice. They will become familiar with terminology and background knowledge relevant to the legal, legislative, political, and historical situation of Singapore. Skills developed include interpreting technique through training students in practical skills and strategies, such as textual analysis, attention management, speech comprehension, active listening, note-taking, etc.; content-management skills such as preparing topic-relevant background knowledge and terminology; professional-level public speaking skills; and at a more abstract level, awareness and understanding of linguistic and cultural differences, as well as ethical issues, in cross-cultural communication.
The Interpreting programme is currently only available as a minor. Students are especially encouraged to pair the minor in Interpreting with another major or minor offered by the Department of Chinese Studies.