Department of Chinese Studies was established under the aegis of School of Languages in the year 2010 along with Department of Spanish Studies and Department of German Studies. The department offers a well-designed curriculum which is regularly updated and has components of language, literature, culture and history. Students have an option of leaving the course after graduation and there is also an option of lateral entry at MA level through an entrance exam.
Chinese is one of the most widely spoken language in the world, about one-fifth of the world’s population speak some form of Chinese as their native language. Chinese is also one of the official languages of the United Nations, which makes it an important language in the International field.
The roots of Chinese script go back more than 3,500 years when major events were recorded on bones and tortoise shells. From then, Chinese language has evolved through history and today, the language we know and speak as Chinese is the Standard or Modern Chinese (Putonghua) also called Mandarin, which is the official language of the PRC. Chinese language is different from other languages because it is a pictorial and tonal language. The written script is aesthetically beautiful with every “character” depicting a meaning. Learning Chinese language thus becomes a very interesting and enriching experience.
China and India being two of the oldest civilizations in the world and also neighboring countries, share a long history of cultural exchange and friendship. In the past few decades China has emerged as an economic power and being our neighbor it becomes all the more important to understand China. Learning Chinese can open a whole world of opportunities. The Department is dedicated to produce skilled professionals who have a deep understanding of China and can contribute to the ever growing mutually beneficial ties between the two countries.
The Department of Chinese Studies aims to develop as one of the major centres for Chinese Studies in India. Students are encouraged to carry out original research and participate in all the academic lectures, seminars and workshops that are conducted on various topics of their interest. The students are provided with sound infrastructure and a rich academic environment that aims at their overall development. The emphasis on the classroom teaching and interactions with the students is accompanied with lectures and workshops by eminent scholars to provide the students with academic exposure. Cultural events are organized to enhance the cultural understanding of the students.
