Languages of Science Between Western and Eastern Civilizations - (Roma Sinica) by Carlo Ferrari & Fabio Guidetti & Chiara Ombretta Tommasi

About the Book

In this volume, specialists in various fields of cultural studies investigate the ways in which scientific knowledge was transferred and disseminated throughout Eurasia between the 17th and 19th centuries. The papers highlight the intellectual effor

Book Synopsis

From the 17^th century onwards, in a context of increasingly intense trade and diplomatic contacts, the exchange of scientific ideas became a key element in the encounters between the European world and the cultures of the Far East.

This volume investigates the ways in which scientific knowledge was transferred and disseminated to new audiences, whose cultural background was very different from that in which such knowledge had originally developed. A vital role in this process was played by the Jesuit mission in China, whose members included intellectuals with a keen interest in cross-cultural comparison. The study of the local languages enabled the transfer of knowledge in both directions, through translations of existing texts and the production of new ones for both Chinese and European audiences. The papers in the volume, authored by specialists in various fields of cultural studies, highlight the intellectual effort and strategies by which scientific works were made available and understandable beyond cultural differences.

The volume will be welcome to those interested not only in cultural interactions between Europe and the Far East, but also in translation studies, particularly in the dissemination of scientific knowledge.

About the Author

Carlo Ferrari, Fabio Guidetti and Chiara O. Tommasi, University of Pisa, Italy; Kihoon Kim, Seoul National University, Korea.