The introduction of Saussure’s linguistic ideas in China began in the thirties thanks to scholars such as such as Wang Li, Gao Mingkai, Fang Guangtao and Chen Wangdao. They were the first to disseminate and apply to the analysis of their language the constructs included in the Cours de linguistique générale. Masini (1985) has thoroughly investi- gated this issue, pointing out how troubled the first phase of Saussurean studies in China was. Completed in the 1960s but published only in 1980, the first translation of the Cours made by Gao Mingkai marked a new beginning of Saussurean studies in China, as confirmed not only by the debate raised by the reading of this work but also by the translations of other sources which have made the portrait of the Swiss linguist more accurate (Péi 2003; Zhào 2005; Maˇ 2008; Romagnoli 2007; 2012). Three Chinese translations of the Cours, several monographs on Saussure, hundreds of academic papers are now available to Chinese readers, whose linguistics knowledge and linguistic background have also changed compared to the first decades of the last century. The aim of this paper is to illustrate the most recent development of the debate regarding Saussurean linguistics in China. In order to do so, two issues are taken into account: the critical stances expressed by Chinese scholars toward the interpretation of the ideas of the Swiss linguist in China and the latest development of the debate on Saussurean semiology.

Romagnoli, C. (2019). New developments of Chinese interpretation of Ferdinand de Saussure’s linguistic thought. HISTOIRE ÉPISTÉMOLOGIE LANGAGE, 41(1), 115-127 [10.1051/hel/2019005].

New developments of Chinese interpretation of Ferdinand de Saussure’s linguistic thought

Romagnoli
2019-01-01

Abstract

The introduction of Saussure’s linguistic ideas in China began in the thirties thanks to scholars such as such as Wang Li, Gao Mingkai, Fang Guangtao and Chen Wangdao. They were the first to disseminate and apply to the analysis of their language the constructs included in the Cours de linguistique générale. Masini (1985) has thoroughly investi- gated this issue, pointing out how troubled the first phase of Saussurean studies in China was. Completed in the 1960s but published only in 1980, the first translation of the Cours made by Gao Mingkai marked a new beginning of Saussurean studies in China, as confirmed not only by the debate raised by the reading of this work but also by the translations of other sources which have made the portrait of the Swiss linguist more accurate (Péi 2003; Zhào 2005; Maˇ 2008; Romagnoli 2007; 2012). Three Chinese translations of the Cours, several monographs on Saussure, hundreds of academic papers are now available to Chinese readers, whose linguistics knowledge and linguistic background have also changed compared to the first decades of the last century. The aim of this paper is to illustrate the most recent development of the debate regarding Saussurean linguistics in China. In order to do so, two issues are taken into account: the critical stances expressed by Chinese scholars toward the interpretation of the ideas of the Swiss linguist in China and the latest development of the debate on Saussurean semiology.
2019
Les idées linguistiques de Saussure ont commencé à être introduites en Chine dans les années trente sous l’impulsion de chercheurs tels que Wang Li, Gao Mingkai, Fang Guangtao et Chen Wangdao. Ceux-ci ont été les premiers à diffuser et à appliquer à l’analyse de leur langue les concepts issus du Cours de linguistique générale. Dans le cadre d’une étude détaillée, Masini (1985) a souligné la complexité de cette première phase des études saussuriennes en Chine. La première traduction du Cours, terminée dès les années 1960 mais publiée uniquement en 1980, est due à Gao Mingkai. Elle a marqué un nouveau départ pour les études saussuriennes en Chine, comme le confirment non seulement le débat suscité par cette traduction mais également la publication des traductions d’autres textes qui ont permis une appréhension plus juste du linguiste suisse (Péi 2003 ; Zhào 2005 ; Mǎ 2008 ; Romagnoli 2007 ; 2012). Trois traductions chinoises du Cours, plusieurs monographies sur Saussure, des centaines d’articles académiques sont maintenant disponibles pour les lecteurs chinois, dont les connaissances et l’expérience linguistiques ont également évolué par rapport à celles des lecteurs des premières décennies du siècle dernier. L’objectif du présent article est de présenter les évolutions les plus récentes du débat sur la linguistique saussurienne en Chine. Pour ce faire, deux questions sont prises en compte : les positions critiques exprimées par les chercheurs chinois à l’égard de l’interprétation des idées du linguiste suisse en Chine et les derniers développements du débat sur la sémiologie saussurienne.
Romagnoli, C. (2019). New developments of Chinese interpretation of Ferdinand de Saussure’s linguistic thought. HISTOIRE ÉPISTÉMOLOGIE LANGAGE, 41(1), 115-127 [10.1051/hel/2019005].
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11590/352387
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