Date of Award

Spring 5-2024

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Major

LACS: Japanese and Chinese Studies

First Advisor

Katsuya Izumi

Second Advisor

Clark L. Alejandrino

Abstract

For both China and Japan, the late 19th century and early 20th century can be characterized as a chaotic period of death and rebirth. Faced with the choices of “modernize or go bust,” the Meiji oligarchs and Qing empire scrambled to solidify a unique national identity amidst the waves of Western influence. However, both nations faced one major problem. As intellectuals rushed to adapt to Western political systems, educational systems, and philosophies, they realized both languages lacked the words to discuss the Western concepts they yearned to put into practice. Therefore, the distinguished Genro of the Meiji restoration pondered: “How can we possibly modernize with such an archaic writing system still in practice?”; Chinese intellectuals wondered: “How can we modernize if we cannot even communicate within our borders?” With these questions in mind, they reconsidered the relevancy of classical Chinese characters, in a world now driven by modern, western influence, and with this consideration came the birth of Wasei-Kango, or “Japanese-made Chinese words.” Wasei-Kango (和製漢語) is the phenomenon of repurposing words derived from classical Chinese to convey western, contemporary concepts. These novel words that were created by Japanese literati would cover anything from “literature” (文学) and “economics”（经济）to the very concept of western love itself（恋爱). As these words were imported back into China through translation, they carried with them the allure of Western philosophies while maintaining “Eastern aesthetics.” Additionally, this essay will discuss the contradictory phenomenon of the Japanese “loaning” Chinese words to China and the ways in which these words became a vehicle to drive forward Chinese modernization. I will touch on the critical influence English had over the venularization of both languages and conclude with how these ever-convenient loanwords came to define the aesthetics of modern Japanese and Chinese literature.

Comments

Senior thesis completed at Trinity College, Hartford CT for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Japanese and Chinese studies.

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