TY - JOUR
T1 - Angelo Zottoli’s Cursus litteraturæ sinicæ as propaedeutic to Chinese classical tradition
AU - Williams, Nicholas Morrow
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© Monumenta Serica Institute 2015.
PY - 2015
Y1 - 2015
N2 - One of the most impressive landmarks in Western Sinology must be the Cursus litteraturæ sinicæ by Italian Jesuit Angelo Zottoli (1826–1902). This four-thousand page work, presented as a Latin introduction to the written Chinese language, is actually a synoptic guide to the Chinese tradition, encompassing a vast range of texts from the Shijing (Book of Songs) to Qing-era examination essays, poetry, and letters. The Cursus was regarded even in its own time as an overly demanding text for beginners, but it remains a useful model for thinking abouthowscholars of premodern China should approach the linguistic and rhetorical features of texts. Though specialized study is essential, an appreciation of premodern China also demands comprehensive perspective. Conscious reflection on the Cursus and its potential may thus help to clarify some of the challenges faced by Sinology in the 21st century.
AB - One of the most impressive landmarks in Western Sinology must be the Cursus litteraturæ sinicæ by Italian Jesuit Angelo Zottoli (1826–1902). This four-thousand page work, presented as a Latin introduction to the written Chinese language, is actually a synoptic guide to the Chinese tradition, encompassing a vast range of texts from the Shijing (Book of Songs) to Qing-era examination essays, poetry, and letters. The Cursus was regarded even in its own time as an overly demanding text for beginners, but it remains a useful model for thinking abouthowscholars of premodern China should approach the linguistic and rhetorical features of texts. Though specialized study is essential, an appreciation of premodern China also demands comprehensive perspective. Conscious reflection on the Cursus and its potential may thus help to clarify some of the challenges faced by Sinology in the 21st century.
KW - Angelo Zottoli
KW - Examination essays
KW - History of Sinology
KW - Translation of Chinese classics
KW - Zikawei mission
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84971483719&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/02549948.2015.1106835
DO - 10.1080/02549948.2015.1106835
M3 - Journal article
AN - SCOPUS:84971483719
SN - 0254-9948
VL - 63
SP - 327
EP - 359
JO - Monumenta Serica: Journal of Oriental Studies
JF - Monumenta Serica: Journal of Oriental Studies
IS - 2
ER -