영국의 조기 중국학과 로버트 모리슨 - 중국에 대한 지식의 확산

초록

This study aims to examine the achievements and activities of Robert Morrison (1782-1834) from the perspective of the development of Chinese studies in Britain. The contents of the study can be summarized as follows. First, Morrison played a significant role in the ‘spread of knowledge about China’ by publishing about thirteen English-language books on China. In particular, he prepared the way for foreigners to easily learn Chinese by publishing Chinese textbooks, dictionaries, and grammar books. The EIC established a printing house in Macao and sponsored the publication of Morrison’s Chinese Dictionaries and other books related to China. This provided an important foundation for the spread of Sinology not only in Britain but also in other Western countries. Second, Morrison began by opening Chinese language class within the EIC and established educational institutions such as the Anglo-Chinese College, Raffles Institution, and the Language Institute to spread knowledge of the Chinese language and China. Such activities contributed to the expansion of general knowledge of China and the training of Sinologists, which had a positive impact on the development of Chinese studies in Britain. Third, Morrison not only founded magazines in Malacca and Guangzhou and actively contributed articles, but also submitted writings to academic journals published in London. He presented various knowledges and informations about China to English-speaking readers through modern media such as newspapers and magazines. This ultimately contributed to expanding the scope of Sinology and establishing its foundation. We can also find mentions of Morrison and his publications in magazines such as the Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, the Quarterly Review and The Asiatic Journal of the same period. Through these, we can infer his influence in Britain. Fourth, Morrison began to gain recognition in Europe from around 1817. At that time, he received an honorary doctorate in divinity from the University of Glasgow and had published Chinese version of the New Testament, Chinese textbooks, and dictionaries, etc. He interacted with prominent European sinologists, such as Jean-Pierre Abel-Rémusat from France, and Antonio Montucci and Heinrich Julius Klaproth from Germany. Their evaluations of Morrison confirmed his influence in Europe as a sinologist in Europe at that time.

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