柔克义的中朝关系史研究及其特点

W. W. Rockhill’s Study on the History of Sino-Korean Relations and Its Characteristics

美国早期汉学家柔克义致力于中朝关系史研究,共发表了五项关于中朝关系的研究成果,第一次揭示了中朝宗藩关系的政治形态、“礼仪”性和贸易本质,改变了美国人乃至西方人对朝鲜“知之甚少”的局面。他重视研究资料的整理和翻译,其汇编、翻译的多部中外关系史料,为西方的中朝关系史研究提供了资料支撑。此外,他重视外语、实地考察、资料整理和翻译的治学方法,在美国汉学走向专业化的过程中起了重要作用。

W. W. Rockhill, an early Sinologist in the United States, published five works of research on Sino-Korean relations, which revealed for the first time the political form, the “etiquette,” and the trade nature of the Sino-Korean relationship. His research helped Americans and other Westerners to know better about Korea. Rockhill attached great importance to the collation and translation of research materials, compiled and translated a number of historical materials on Sino-foreign relations, which provided support for Western studies on the history of Sino-Korean relations. In addition, he attached great importance to foreign languages, field trips, data collation and translation. That played an important role in the process of the specialization of Sinology in the United States.