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This book provides a collection of articles on early encounters of Western missionaries and scholars with the languages of the Sinosphere. These encounters had a considerable impact on the history of Chinese linguistics in the West and in the East. The volume focuses on Western and Chinese linguistic perspectives within their historical and sociological contexts. Thus, it provides a bridge between West and East, linguistics and history. Particular emphasis lies on the special influence Taiwanese linguistic studies have on the history of linguistic studies of East Asian languages. Many of the early grammatical works on Chinese languages are closely connected to Taiwan and Taiwanese languages. Additionally, Chinese linguistic traditions and their interaction with Western linguistics are at issue, as well as early Western accounts of the Chinese languages and their impact on linguistic studies in the West and in the East. The volume demonstrates the great influence the encounter with Sinitic languages had on the development of new linguistic concepts in the West, and it provides a window into cultural and linguistic relations from a unique perspective; transcending the Eurocentric view, and probing the motives of the missionary and colonial endeavors.

This collection of articles aims to present a meaningful selection of current research on Classical Chinese Grammar, encompassing a temporal range from the Pre-Classical to the Medieval period. The term ‘Classical Chinese’ is used broadly here. The articles primarily focus on two representative lines of research: one examining the lexicon of Chinese and the other investigating syntax and its interface with semantics. The first approach continues and refines traditional Chinese linguistic studies using modern linguistic tools, while the second enhances the syntactic analysis first proposed by von der Gabelentz. Additionally, a third innovative field of research is included, which explores the stratification of different linguistic registers in Ancient Chinese. This volume showcases the diverse methodologies currently employed to study the lexicon and grammar of Classical Chinese, highlighting significant advancements brought about by various theoretical frameworks. It emphasizes the importance of a meticulous examination of the structural properties of Classical Chinese, advocating for an analysis that transcends mere apparent similarities.

TRENDS IN LINGUISTICS is a series of books that open new perspectives in our understanding of language. The series publishes state-of-the-art work on core areas of linguistics across theoretical frameworks, as well as studies that provide new insights by approaching language from an interdisciplinary perspective. TRENDS IN LINGUISTICS considers itself a forum for cutting-edge research based on solid empirical data on language in its various manifestations, including sign languages. It regards linguistic variation in its synchronic and diachronic dimensions as well as in its social contexts as important sources of insight for a better understanding of the design of linguistic systems and the ecology and evolution of language. TRENDS IN LINGUISTICS publishes monographs and outstanding dissertations as well as edited volumes, which provide the opportunity to address controversial topics from different empirical and theoretical viewpoints. High quality standards are ensured through anonymous reviewing. To discuss your book idea or submit a proposal, please contact Birgit Sievert.