Yahui Anita Huang

Associate Professor of Chinese

Yahui Anita Huang Office:

Berte Humanities Building 304

Contact Information:

Box 549029
Birmingham-Southern College
900 Arkadelphia Rd
Birmingham, AL 35254
Office Phone: (205) 226-4971
Office Fax: n(205) 226-3089
E-mail: [email protected]

Brief Career Background:

Associate Professor 2012-present Birmingham Southern College
University of Alabama at Birmingham Assistant Professor 2011-2012
University of Texas at Austin Assistant Instructor 2007-2009
Interpreter, Translator, External Examiner for Samford University & University of North Alabama, Import-Export Agent

Educational Background:

PhD. in Linguistics, University of Texas at Austin
M.A. in Linguistics, Eastern Michigan University
B.A. in German Literature, Chinese Cultural University, Taipei, Taiwan

Areas of Academic Interest:

Chinese Language Pedagogy
Chinese for Specific Purposes
Chinese Linguistics
Pragmatics
Syntax and Semantics

Research Interests:

My principal academic specializations include Chinese linguistics, Semantics, Pragmatics, and Chinese language pedagogy. My dissertation investigates the form and meaning of Chinese Conditionals with a focus on Quantification, Presupposition, Modal Implications, Pronoun Occurrence as compared to English "whatever" and "whoever" sentences. My other research agenda includes Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language and Teaching Chinese for Specific Purposes with an emphasis on building students’ pragmatic competence in a business context. I am also interested in translation studies, language acquisition (first and second), and bilingual education.

Courses Taught:

CHN 101 Elementary Chinese I (1)
An introduction to the Mandarin Chinese language in regards to speaking, listening, reading, writing, and culture. Designed for students who have no prior knowledge of Chinese.

CHN 102 Elementary Chinese II (1)
A continuation of CHN 101. Prerequisite: CHN 101.

CHN 201 Intermediate Chinese I (1)
A course, building on Elementary Chinese, that reviews basic grammar and pronunciation concepts, increases vocabulary, and further develops language skills.

CHN 202 Intermediate Chinese II (1)
A continuation of CHN 201.

CHN 270 Conversational Chinese (1)
Instruction and practice in oral comprehension and speaking. Conversation is based on texts and videos. The course emphasizes oral proficiency and awareness of Chinese culture.

CHN 290 Chinese for the Workplace (1)
A course focusing on vocabulary and content specific to a particular profession (such as business or health care).

CHN 295 Directed Reading (1)
A course designed to help students make the transition from intermediate to advanced level Chinese courses. It aims to advance students' literacy skills and to prepare them for reading advanced literary works.

CHN 310 Reading Chinese Media (1)
A Chinese reading course that further develops students'language skills for reading newspapers, magazines, and internet content about the latest headlines, trending topics, and stories from the Chinese-speaking countries.

E-Term: Explorations of Qi (ch’i, ‘life-energy’)

HM 120: How Language Works (1)
An investigation into human language. This course introduces students to linguistics, the scientific study of language. Topics include language and society, language acquisition, pragmatics, syntax, semantics, phonology, and related issues.

HM 125-ES Cross-Cultural Communication Strategies: East vs. West (1)
A cross-cultural study of communication strategies that equips students with the basic skills and knowledge needed for successful interpersonal and cross-cultural communication. The course investigates the similarities and differences between Chinese and English speakers' communication strategies in personal and professional conversational settings.