영국의 조기 중국학과 로버트 모리슨 — 모리슨과 동인도회사의 관계를 중심으로

Abstract

I plans to examine Robert Morrison(1782-1834) and the East India Company in relation to the development of Sinology in Britain. This paper first examines the changing relationship between Morrison and the East India Company and its background, his roles and activities as an interpreter for the company, and how they ultimately contributed to the development of Sinology in Britain. First, the East India Company initially took a restraining and uncooperative attitude toward Morrison. Later, the company eventually hired him as an interpreter, because his knowledge of China and language proficiency were necessary for the company. Next, Morrison’s main job was to help the Sino-British trade proceed smoothly through interpretation and translation. He also participated as an interpreter for delegations representing the British government, and took on political and diplomatic roles and tasks. Morrison opened a Chinese language class within the company, taught Chinese to employees, and compiled Chinese textbooks and dictionaries. Since the 19th century, the East India Company gradually developed an atmosphere that fully recognized the importance and value of learning Chinese. Morrison was at the center of leading such a change in the awareness. The East India Company also invested a large sum of money to establish a printing office and published Morrison’s Chinese dictionary. The printing office continued to exist and published many books on China, contributing to the development of Sinology in Britain. Morrison’s relationship with the East India Company had elements of confrontation and conflict inherent in the difference between the ultimate goals of spreading religion and pursuing profits. The company needed Morrison’s Chinese proficiency and knowledge of China, and reluctantly hired him as an interpreter under unavoidable circumstances. Their uneasy partnership was beneficial to both sides, and as a result, it contributed to the development of Sinology in Britain to some extent.