Search

1. Terminological historyThe terms “Sinology” and “Sinologist” first appeared in the early 19th century, denoting scholarly engagement with China or the Chinese world, which began in the context of the Jesuit mission in the 17th century (Jesuits; Mission). Deriving from the Late Latin Sinae (an unidentified people living at the eastern extremity of the world), “Sinology” was often used in the 19th century by authors to distance themselves from the anecdotal reports from China that had been reaching Europe since the late 16th century,…

1. IntroductionTo be considered first in this exploration of the non-European literate cultures are the various manuscript cultures that developed independent dynamics in many parts of Asia and Africa and among the indigenous cultures of Central and South America (American indigenous peoples; see below, 3.). Specific interrelations with oral forms of textual culture are evident here. Also important is the issue of the spread of printing with movable type, which reached other continents from Europ…