Sinicizing European languages: Lexicographical and literary practices of Pidgin English in nineteenth-century China

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Abstract / Description of output

his article reconsiders the social, economic, and literary significance of Chinese Pidgin English (CPE) in Chinese society by exploring lexicographical and literary practices of pidgin in nineteenth-century China. Resituating the history of CPE in Chinese language history, this article problematizes the concept of pidgin and pursues three arguments. First, the author maintains that CPE arose from the marginalized status of the Euro-American traders who were restricted from learning the Chinese language in Canton. Second, by exploring foreign-language glossaries, this article foregrounds the key role of sinographs and Chinese topolects in mediating and remolding foreign languages. Last, by examining the appropriation of foreign sounds in Cantonese folk songs and Pan Youdu's poetry, this article demonstrates the complex flow of these sounds among different languages and the power of pidgin in transgressing linguistic boundaries.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)135-158
Number of pages25
JournalSungkyun Journal of East Asian Studies
Volume22
Issue number2
Publication statusPublished - 30 Nov 2022

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • Chinese Pidgin English
  • Sino-Western trade
  • Canton
  • Pan Youdu

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