华侨华人学科建设的反思:东南亚历史研究的视角与经验

Rethinking ethnic Chinese studies: A Southeast Asian historian's perspective and experience

本文的讨论围绕三个层面展开 :华侨华人研究 ,东南亚 (华侨华人 )研究以及笔者个人对槟城—吉打州华人商业与权力关系的研究。争论的实质是这样一个理论与方法论的问题 ,即华侨华人研究应该分别被视为某一孤立的主题研究领域、区域研究和学科研究方法 ,还是一个相互关联的结合整体的问题。本文并非企图为华侨华人研究确立一个标准 ,而仅仅是呈献一个实例 ,即把个人的研究视角和经历 ,结合大的结构、进程、理论和方法论的关怀等问题 ,进行情景化的考察。

This paper is to contextualize the discussions in relation to ethnic Chinese studies, Southeast Asian (and Southeast Asian Chinese) studies in general, and my own research on Penang Kedah Chinese business and power relation in particular. The debate is essentially a theoretical and methodological issue on whether ethnic Chinese should be separately seen as research subject, area studies and disciplinary approach, or correlatively seen as one combination. The attempt is not to establish a standard, but rather present an example by integrating my own research perspective and experience into a larger structure, huge process, and bigger theoretical and methodological concern. $$$$