New terms for new ideas : Western knowledge and lexical change in Late Imperial China

This volume is about the lasting impact of new (Western) notions on the 19th and early 20th century Chinese language; their invention, spread and standardization. Topics examined range from preconceptions about the capacity of the Chinese language to accommodate foreign ideas, the formation of specific nomenclatures and the roles of individual translators, to Chinese and European attempts at coming to terms with each other's grammar. A valuable reference work for all those interested in the historical semantics of modern China.