Sinological Studies Research Articles

Chinese Language and Culture Pedagogy at the University of Latvia

The article gives a detailed analysis of Chinese language and culture studies at the Department of Asian Studies of the University of Latvia from the foundation of the department in 1991 and the enrolment of first students in 1993 up to the year 2023. The textis divided in six chapters: institutional history; students and graduates; local teaching staff; guest lecturers and Chinese-speaking language teachers; academic mobility; and research and international cooperation. This is the first in-depth introduction to Latvian Sinology studies in the English language, and its special value lies in the unique perspective of the author (former Sinology student and current associate professor of the Department of Asian Studies) who has witnessed and experienced nearly the entire history of the institutional development. The article combines a historical approach with biographical (at times autobiographical) descriptions, analyses of statistical data, and a personal case study.

B.L. Riftin i tradiciya russkogo kitaevedeniya

This article presents the history of the formation and development of Russian oriental and sinology studies, as well as a detailed analysis of the scientific works of Russian and Chinese scientists, in particular, much attention is paid to the works of B.L. Riftin.

The Bureau of Sinology and Its Early Development, 1927–1934

Abstract In 1927, the Jesuit-run Bureau of Sinology was founded in Shanghai to assist missionaries in their apostolic work via education and publications. The bureau’s establishment was part of a longstanding effort to resume the Jesuit tradition of developing intellectual apostolate and pursuing Sinological studies. However, the bureau was soon beset by internal crises that limited its functionality. The bureau also competed with the Synodal Commission, which Celso Costantini (1876–1958), the first apostolic delegate to China, had established in the same year and with a similar objective. The ecclesiastical hierarchy and overlapping purposes of the two institutes disadvantaged the bureau in its early development and escalated tensions between the Jesuits in China and the delegate. This article is part of the special issue of the Journal of Jesuit Studies, “Jesuits in Modern Far East,” guest edited by Steven Pieragastini.

Chinese Studies in Poland: History and Current Perspectives

AbstractThe earliest pieces of knowledge and research on China in Poland reflected development of Sinological studies in Western Europe. Being located on the sidelines of trade routes through which Eastern ideas and goods reached Western Europe, Poles used to get their information about China mostly from intermediaries: medieval travelers, merchants, and envoys, and since the sixteenth century, letters, writings, and books by Jesuit missionaries. The Poles contributed the very first comprehensive description of Chinese flora, and were important in spreading mathematical knowledge among Chinese scientists. A Pole established Monumenta Serica, still published today, and another Pole applied formal logic to the research of Chinese classical texts for the very first time. Despite all that, regular Sinological research in Poland did not take off until the twentieth century, and even then it was interrupted by political upheaval in Poland and by researchers’ fight either for freedom or with ideology.

French sinology development (13‒21 centuries): historical aspect

French sinology takes a special place in the history of the sinological studies development. It was France that became the first country where the transformation of missionary sinology, which was common among a limited circle of researchers (mainly in a religious sphere), into the academic scientific discipline, which had already been taught and studied at a professional level in academic institutions, occurred. The Parisian type of sinology used to dominate the entire world for a long time, including such powerful centers of Chinese studies as Germany, Great Britain, the USA, and China itself. The conducted historiographical analysis of the topic allows pointing out the insufficient coverage by the local researchers of the evolution of French sinology historical development as a whole process that had lasted for almost 800 years. This fact prompted the authors to reveal the mentioned topic. The purpose of the article is to investigate the historical development of French sinology during the 13th–21st centuries. In the course of the work, both general scientific methods and special ones were used, among which the priority was given to historical, chronological and problem-thematic methods. The analytical method and methods of grouping and typology were also applied, that made it possible to present the material in a logically complete manner. In order to form a complete picture of sinology development in France, the authors singled out and analyzed three historical periods covering the entire history of Chinese studies development, starting from its birth and flourishment to the process of stagnation. Thus, within the time limits of the first period, the process a peculiar scientific base of knowledge about China accumulating, as well as the development of missionary sinology, was investigated, and it was proved that it became a kind of bridge between the protosinological stage and academic sinology, which secularized the achievements of its predecessors in the 19th century and turned into a scientific academic discipline. Within the time limits of the second period, the scientific achievements of a whole galaxy of French scholars were analyzed, namely, Edouard Chavannes, Marcel Granet, Henri Paul Gaston Maspero, and others, and it was concluded that the Sinological school in France was at the peak of its development, and the views of its representatives gained priority among sinologists all over the world. Regarding the third period, the authors express the opinion that modern French sinology has lost its leading position in the scientific world, and the search for the latest methodological approaches and methods (primarily multidisciplinary with the use of digital technologies) is primarily an attempt to achieve parity with the leading centers of Chinese studies. Factual research material can be used for further study of the history of sinology development, as well as for writing generalising papers on Chinese studies, reading lecture courses, special courses and special seminars.

PREFACE

PREFACE

The History of Chinese Studies in Austria Revisited

AbstractThis article traces the origins and developments of Chinese studies in Austria. In addition to factors and institutions that were instrumental in the development of these studies, the lives and works of individuals important to this development are revisited, starting with brief remarks on the scholarly interest in China in eighteenth century Austria and on early efforts to obtain Chinese books and Chinese printing types in the nineteenth century. The achievements of individual scholars are examined against the backdrop of their institutional affiliations and their experiences, if any, in China. In addition, the reasons for the delayed institutionalization of Sinological studies at university level are highlighted.

Sinology in Kazakhstan: Past and Present

China is a strategic neighbour of Kazakhstan. Studying China is also crucial for Kazakhstan's scholarship. Sinology, a subdiscipline of Oriental Studies that comprehensively works on China, is a relatively new field in Kazakhstan. Sharing a common border with China and having different forms of relations with China throughout history, Kazakhstan has only recently created its own school of Sinology. The reason was that, under the Soviet system, Kazakhstan had not had its own institution working on Oriental studies. The purpose of this paper is to examine the roots of Kazakhstan Sinology and analyse current developments in the school of Kazakhstan Sinology through a historical-analytical lens. The paper begins by introducing Sinology concepts and briefly describing Western and Chinese discussions on the concept of Sinology. Then, the historical evolution of Sinology in Soviet times unpacks the roots of Kazakhstan Sinology. The State of the Art of Sinology describes the latest developments in Kazakhstan, and in conclusion, the author proposes recommendations to advance Sinology studies in Kazakhstan. The paper contends that by combining Soviet and Western scientific traditions with local knowledge, Kazakhstan has a strong chance of establishing its own school of Sinology free of colonial legacy and Western-centric approach. 

Whither Theatricality? Toward Traditional Chinese Drama and Theater (Xiqu 戲曲) as World Theater

Abstract The essay provides a brief review of how certain approaches to theatricality evolved in response to particular theatrical archives or repertoires in non-Chinese contexts. It then considers a number of recent studies of Chinese drama and theater in light of the following issues: the nature of theatrical language, the emergence and uses of fictionality, and the reconstruction of performance aesthetics. In focusing on these particular areas, the essay seeks to show how such research can contribute toward countering entrenched characterizations of xiqu as “non-drama,” “spectacle,” or “pure heritage.” The final section of the article proposes some future avenues of inquiry in order to deepen the dialogue between Sinology and theater studies while providing tools for sustaining the practice of xiqu and fostering broader appreciation of traditional Chinese theater in Anglophone, Chinese-speaking, and other contexts.

Intercultural Methodology in Sinology: Transculturality, Textual Criticism and Discursive Translations

For Western researchers, the understanding of Chinese culture is conditioned by differences in language, tradition, history and socialization. The interpretation of various aspects and elements of different cultures is always connected to the geographic, political and economic positions of the interpreter as well as the object of interpretation. In Western research on China, the non-reflected use of theoretical analyses that are in themselves results of specific (Western) historical processes and the related structure of societies, often proves to be a dangerous and misleading mechanism. A fundamental premise of the present paper is that Western epistemology represents only one of many different models of human comprehension of reality. On this basis, it questions traditional intercultural methodologies hitherto applied in Sinology and Chinese studies. The article presents the main methodological paradigms of a transculturally aware research that could improve the understanding of general principles underlying the particular research questions and objects under investigation.

Factors for the development of university Sinology studies: since the 1920s to the beginning of the 1930s

Factors for the development of university Sinology studies: since the 1920s to the beginning of the 1930s

The History of the IT Environment of Sinology in Japan

This paper addresses the following: First, it summarizes the history of the IT environment of sinology in Japan with a focus on Chinese character processing. Then, it introduces the open-access digital archive projects in Japan as well as ICT-based research activities. An attempt was made to allow multiple Chinese characters/Chinese input from PCs in Japan beginning in the 1980s. At first, Chinese characters were implemented applying special hardware or software to JIS Chinese character encoding. After the 1990s, these approaches disappeared with the spread of Unicode and a multilingual mixed environment became more widely available. The digital archives in Japan are described focusing on databases, digital libraries, etc. Although Japan’s number of independent databases has decreased, the paper examines the current contributions to sinology studies, including a Chinese character DB that interlinks with Unicode.org and digital literature archives in Chinese characters that are held by universities and public institutions. Additionally, there are numerous research studies on humanities and oriental studies as research associations and societies have been in operation for several years.

From “Jardin en Miniature” to Eco-Culture: An Insight of Taishan Belief Culture in Sinology Studies during the Late 19th and 20th Centuries

Sinology studies have focused on the study of Taishan Belief Culture when their writers were studying Taishan culture. A historical record shows that this focus varies due to the authors’ knowledge of Dongyue Dadi and Bixia Yuanjun beliefs which are regarded as the major beliefs in Taishan culture. However different, the theme of the belief described is similar as they all reflect the relationship between human and nature, which can be regarded as an aspect of eco-culture study. This paper firstly illustrates how these sinology studies describe the two major beliefs about Taishan; then analyzes how they are related to eco-culture, and finally provides a conclusion that not only are the two beliefs closely related to eco-culture but they reflect a harmonious existence between human and nature from the records of foreign cultural literature.

Spread of Traditional Chinese Medicine to the West and the Development of Sinology: A Case Study Based on the Translation of Traditional Chinese Medicine Literature by German Doctor Gottlieb Olpp

German doctor Gottlieb Olpp played an important role in Sino-German medical exchanges during the late Qing dynasty. During his stay in China for more than 9 years, he wrote a large number of texts related to local Chinese medical and hygienic conditions. In these works, he introduced traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and its situation at that time but also translated TCM literature. His translations and his achievements facilitated the development of sinology in Germany. Not only was he responsible for the development of the method used by German sinologists in translating TCM literature, but also his work gave an impetus to the combination of academic goals and current considerations in sinology studies. In this way, the study of TCM is the internal force driving the development of sinology.

Из истории западной и русской трактовок «сердечной заповеди» древнекитайского «Шу цзина»

Autochthonous traditional Chinese thought in its most developed form could be found in the philosophy of Neo-Confucianism, which continues to be a sig­nificant factor in the modern national consciousness of the Chinese people. At the same time, the pre-emptive attention of Western Sinology and Russian Chinese studies to early Confucianism does not fully take into account the Neo-Confucian interpretation of the ancient Chinese classics. Russian and Western translations of the so-called Sixteen-Word Heart Admonition (Shi liu zi xin chuan), a passage from Chapter III “Da Yu mo” (Councel of Yu the Great) of the ancient Chinese classic The Book of Historical Documents (Shujing) by A. Gaubil, N.Ya. Bichurin, D.P. Sivillov, W.H. Medhurst, J. Legge, S. Couvreur, and W.G. Old demonstrate the gradual assimilation of its Neo-Confucian inter­pretation by Western and Russian translators. Archimandrite Daniil (Dmitry P. Sivillov), in his unpublished Russian translation of Shujing of the early 1840s, adopted this interpretation earlier and understood it better than the others. It is assumed that rejection of the Manchu language mediation and peruse of the con­temporary Neo-Confucian commentaries played the key role in his success. The importance of Neo-Confucian hermeneutics research for the studies of tradi­tional Chinese philosophy, including ancient Chinese classics, is emphasized. The text of the previously unpublished Shujing Chapter III Da Yu mo Russian transla­tion by archimandrite Daniil is attached.

James Legge on the Lun Yu’s text history

The article examines the views of the outstanding British Sinologist James Legge (1815–1897) on the textual history of the Lun Yu’. Based on the methodological approach as adapted in the textual historical studies the author, Lidia Golovacheva studies the views by J. Legg on the phenomena as follows. 1. The Qing views on the destruction of books and the killing of scholars, which took place during the Qin dynasty and on the targeted collection of ancient books in the Han era. 2. The compilation process of Lun Yu’s text by the Han dynasty scholars. 3. When and by whom the Lun Yu was written. 4. Who left comments on Lun Yu. 5. Variant readings in Lun Yu. The views on Lun Yu by Legge to a significant part are influenced by those of traditional Chinese scholars. They reflect the general height, reached by the Lun yu’ textology in the 19th cent. This builds a solid basis for future research on the development of Lun Yu studies in the Sinological studies in China, Western Europe and worldwide.

The Art of Chinese Prose: A Critical Introduction

Abstract This article opens with a reflection on the extrinsic and intrinsic causes of the neglect of Chinese prose in sinological literary studies, followed by the construction of a patterning-based scheme for codifying Chinese prose forms. An in-depth analysis of eight famous texts, drawn from antiquity through the Qing, reveals how continual innovations in extratextual patterning and textual patterning have given rise to manifold and inherently related prose forms over the millennia. The close reading also sheds light on these prose forms' distinctive artistic features, as well as their symbiotic relationships with the three types of genres (narrative, descriptive, and expository) and with broad sociopolitical and cultural developments. It is hoped that these findings will generate serious interest in prose studies among literary sinologists.

DocuSky, A Personal Digital Humanities Platform for Scholars

AbstractDocuSky is a personal digital humanities platform for humanities scholars, which aims to become a platform on which a scholar can satisfy all her digital needs with no direct IT assistance. To this end, DocuSky provides tools for a scholar to download material from the Web and prepare (annotating, building metadata) her material, a one-click function to build a full-text searchable database, and tools for analysis and visualization. DocuSky advocates the separation of digital content and tools. Being an open platform, it encourages IT developers to build tools to suit scholars’ needs, and it has already incorporated several popular Web resources and external tools into its environment. Interoperability is ensured through the format DocuXML. In addition to describing the design principles of DocuSky, we will show its main features, together with several important tools and examples. DocuSky was originally developed for Sinological studies. We are enriching it to work in other languages.

To the Issue of the Historical and Contemporary Size of the Chinese Diaspora in Africa and the Methodology of its Quantitative Research

For the first time in the domestic scientific literature, the article provides a detailed quantitative assessment of the Chinese diasporas of 58 African countries, non-sovereign territories and jurisdictions. The article analyzes the methodology of their quantitative assessments and provides a critical comparison of various types of sources of information on the Chinese diasporal communities on the continent. The novelty of the work is that the author does not consider the subject of research “from the Chinese perspective”, which is characteristic of most academic papers on the subject of “huaqiao,” but from the view-point of Africa. The host-country perspective premises the analysis of influences upon its rather than China’s development and requires the understanding not only of in the issues relation to the diaspora per se, but also For the first time in domestic African and Sinological studies, the objective was to bring together, critically process and analyze the available statistics on the Chinese diaspora on the continent. The results of the research published in the article finally allow us to solve the problem of determining the quantitative and spatial parameters of the diasporal Chinese communities on the continent. The solution to this problem opens up the possibility of obtaining scientific knowledge of the social, political, civilizational, economic and other characteristics of the Chinese diasporas in interaction with the surrounding society and in the context of socio-economic processes taking place in specific African countries on an objective, rather than speculative, basis.

Rural market towns and farmer life on the Chengdu Plain in the Republican era: A theory on rural standard marketing communities

Between late 1949 and early 1950, the famed American anthropologist George William Skinner conducted a three-month social survey of Kao-tien-tzu (Gaodianzi) in the Chengdu Plain, and wrote a three-part series of papers entitled “Marketing and Social Structure in Rural China.” He proposed the “standard marketing community” theory, which had a major impact on both American and Chinese Sinological studies. Many scholars have commented on this theory, raising either praise or censure, and some have adopted the theory as the basis of further studies. The author draws on archived materials and survey data on the Chengdu Plain in the Republican era to examine farmers’ family income, agricultural sidelines, and relationship with rural market towns, in response to the debate over Skinner’s theory.