후쿠자와 유키치의 번역과 외국지명의 한자 표기 연구

Abstract

In connection with Fukuzawa Yukichi’s view of translation, this study examined the Kanji notation in his books written in the early Meiji Era, and compared it with that in other documents. First, place names translated into the same Kanji notations are found in all of Fukuzawa Yukichi’s books, among place names that had comparatively long been translated into Kanji. Second, in each book, translation of one place name into two or three Kanji notations shows the intention to gather various notations together; and on the other hand it demonstrates the view of translation trying to reflect the diversity of Kanji notation. Third, the place names translated by coining Kanji characters represent a positive aspect that it enabled early modern Japanese people to have easy access to the Western world. On the other hand, it shows limitations that the Kanji notations that were coined by excessively relying on the colloquial style did not play a proper role as Kanji characters representing the place names. Fourth, the comparison shows that the two documents have relatively similar notation pattern. However, since there is mixed use of Japanese󰠏style Chinese characters and Chinese󰠏style of Chinese characters even in the same document depending on the translator, it confirms the transitional period of natation of place names.