人文研究之于国别和区域研究的重要性——兼论区域研究在欧美的困境与反思

近现代西方的区域研究因其殖民霸权的直接动因、二元对立的内在结构以及过度强调政治实用性而在冷战的结束以及全球化进程的双重影响下遭遇了合法性危机,继之而起的是以“后结构主义”为理论滋养的相关研究。后结构主义以其对“中心”的消解、对语言权威的打破以及对“他者性”的承认等而打破了过去以结构主义为核心的研究范式。这股“后学”风潮刮到了文学领域并为文学介入公共生活提供了学理基础,也为文学与区域国别学相融合提供了可能与契机。外国文学对国别和区域研究的重要性不仅体现在语言优势,更在于文学的虚构性、想象性、伦理性以及对现实的超越性使其能够更全面地表现对象国或地区,而其伦理教化功能与价值观输出更是影响现实社会进程的政治力量之一,因此,从外国文学角度开展区域国别研究有其重要性与必要性。

Area studies in the modern West faced a crisis of legitimacy due to their association with colonial hegemony,inherent dichotomous structures and excessive emphasis on political pragmatism against the backdrop of globalization and the end of the Cold War.Post-structuralism,through its deconstruction of the“center,”challenge to the authority of language and recognition of“otherness,”has shattered the conventional academic paradigm rooted in structuralism.These“post”studies have extended their influence into the field of literature,offering a theoretical foundation for literature to engage with public discourse and creating opportunities for literature studies to interconnect with the realms of country and area studies.For individuals majoring in foreign languages,their proficiency in these languages has traditionally been viewed as an asset for country and area studies.However,this emphasis has often eclipsed the other inherent strengths of literature.In fact,the fictional,imaginative,ethical,and transcendent nature of literature enables it to offer a more comprehensive representation of the target country or region.Hence,there is significant value in approaching country and area studies from the vantage point of foreign literature.