Chinese
Learn Chinese at UT Austin
Chinese comprises several main dialects, most of which are not mutually intelligible; thus, linguists tend to view these variations as separate languages. All varieties of Chinese originally descended from the indigenous speech of the Han majority and are part of the Sino-Tibetan language family. These languages are typically tonal, meaning that different tones differentiate words that are otherwise identical.
The majority of Chinese speak Mandarin, which is the official language of mainland China and the Republic of China (Taiwan). Of the other varieties of Chinese, Cantonese is the second most common and is spoken in Hong Kong. Chinese has over 20,000 written characters, but only 10,000 are in common use. Well-educated Chinese can read around 5,000 – 7,000 characters. One needs to recognize at least 3,000 characters to read a mainland newspaper.
Learn More About Lower and Upper Division Chinese Courses Below
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Lower-Division Courses
CHI 604, Accelerated First-Year Chinese
Designed for students who understand or speak but do not read or write Mandarin Chinese. Six class hours a week for one semester. Chinese 604 and 606 may not both be counted; Chinese 604 and 507 may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Results on the placement examination in Chinese that indicate that the student is ineligible to receive credit for Chinese 607.
CHI 604, Accelerated First-Year Chinese
Not open to students who understand or speak Mandarin Chinese. Modern Standard Chinese (Mandarin). Six class hours a week for one semester. Chinese 604 and 606 may not both be counted.
CHI 607, First-Year Chinese II
Not open to native speakers of Chinese. Continuation of Chinese 606. Six class hours a week for one semester. Chinese 604 and 607 may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Chinese 606 with a grade of at least C.
CHI 612, Accelerated Second-Year Chinese
Continuation of Chinese 604. Six class hours a week for one semester. Chinese 612 and 312K may not both be counted; Chinese 612 and 412L may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Chinese 604 with a grade of at least C.
CHI 312K, Second-Year Chinese I
Not open to native speakers of Chinese. Modern Standard Chinese (Mandarin). Four class hours a week for one semester. Chinese 612 and 312K may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Chinese 607 with a grade of at least C.
CHI 312L, Second-Year Chinese II
Not open to native speakers of Chinese. Continuation of Chinese 312K. Four class hours a week for one semester. Chinese 612 and 312L may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Chinese 312K with a grade of at least C.
Upper-Division Courses
CHI 320K, Readings in Modern Chinese I
Readings in texts of narrative, descriptive, and expository styles. Topics are current Chinese social and cultural issues. Vocabulary building, grammar, competency, and basic writing skills are the main objectives. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Chinese 612 or 412L with a grade of at least C.
CHI 320L, Readings in Modern Chinese II
Readings in modern fiction, poetry, and drama. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Chinese 320K with a grade of at least C.
CHI 322, Introduction to Classical Chinese
Beginning study of wen yen, the particles, and syntax of the Chinese classics. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Chinese 612 or 412L with a grade of at least C.
CHI 325K, Advanced Conversation I
Not open to native speakers of Chinese. Drill in conversation on general topics. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Chinese 412L with a grade of at least C.
CHI 326, Business Chinese
Advanced Chinese conversation, with emphasis on business vocabulary. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Chinese 326 and 330 (Topic: Business Chinese) may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Chinese 612, 320K, or 325K with a grade of at least C.
CHI 330, Topics in Advanced Chinese
Fourth-year Chinese readings on special topics. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Chinese 320K and 320L with a grade of at least C in each.
CHI 130D, Chinese across Disciplines
Reading and discussion of Chinese language materials related to the subject matter of another designated course in Asian studies. Meetings with the instructor will be devoted to the discussion of linguistic problems, literary features, and crucial passages. Individual instruction. May not be counted toward fulfillment of the foreign language requirement for any bachelor's degree. May be repeated for credit. Offered on the pass/fail basis only. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing, concurrent enrollment in an appropriate Asian studies course, and written consent of instructor on form obtained from the undergraduate adviser.
CHI 340, Topics in Chinese Literature
Study of Chinese literary texts in the original. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Chinese 320L with a grade of at least C.
