王赓武教授与海外华人研究:方法论的初步观察

Professor Wang Gungwu and the studies of Chinese Overseas:Preliminary observations on his methodology

作为海外华人研究领域的重要奠基人和开拓者,王赓武教授的治学方法对其研究以及该学科的发展有着不可忽略的影响。本文以此为出发点,结合王教授的成长经历与学术训练,探讨他由治中国古代史入手,转而侧重研究中国—南洋关系史以及东南亚华人史的时代背景及其学术含义。本文认为,坚实的中、西学术训练为他的学术生涯的成长奠定了基础,并成为他转入海外华人这一新兴领域的桥梁;而战后东南亚激剧的时代变迁则促进王教授的双重学术视野的形成与发展。这一双重性表现在两个方面:中国与东南亚的交互相映作为研究的切入点;自我与社会的双重关怀以及参与者和观察者的双重身份作为学术研究的参照系。

As the doyen of the studies on the Chinese Overseas, Professor Wang Gungwu has played an instrumental role in the development of this emerging field of scholarly enquiries. This essay focuses on his research methodologies and the formation and characteristics of his bi\|focalism: the revolving concern over the regions of China and Southeast Asia and the simultaneous positioning as a detached analyst and involved participant. His training in Sinological tradition, changing socio\|political environments in Southeast Asia within which he has spent better part of his life, and his keen observations from different angles on the multi\|dimensional facets of the Chinese overseas societies have all contributed to the making of his mythologies, which in turn has had an impact on the whole field.