略论近代买办与中国文化自为

On the Modern Compradors and Chinese Culture Self-consciousness

遭遇西方文化强烈冲击以后,近代中国文化进入了艰难的调适、嬗变与创新过程。这是一代又一代人持续接力的过程,买办的努力是其中重要一环。无论在物质文化、制度文化还是精神文化层面上,买办对于西方文化都有广泛的了解、冷静的思考与积极的吸纳,都为中国文化自为做出了不可或缺的贡献。作为亦中亦西的文化混合体,买办处于中西文化交流的前沿与漩涡之中,对于西方文化了解比较真切。作为中西文化边缘人,买办对于吸纳西方文化较少精神障碍。特定的时空,特定的身份,使得买办成为近代中国文化自为的先行者。

After it was fiercely impacted by western cultures, the modern Chinese culture entered into a difficult process of adjustment, evolution and innovation. This is the result of the efforts of one generation after another, especially the efforts of the compradors. The compradors have made indispensible contribution to Chinese culture self-consciousness on material, systematic and cultural levels. And the special space and status made them pioneers of modern Chinese culture self-consciousness.