The case of <i>rén</i> 仁 inearly Chinese-European dictionaries

Abstract When missionaries first arrived in China, they encountered important challenges in translating Chinese terms into Western languages and Christian concepts into Chinese. This complex process involved numerous contributors over time, leading to translational choices that were often revised as they proved inadequate. The journey of translation varied in complexity for different terms. Mandarin-European dictionaries compiled by missionaries provide valuable insights into these processes. These dictionaries capture the definitions of Chinese characters at specific historical moments, reflecting the authors’ intentions. This article examines the character ren 仁 , central to Chinese philosophy, to illustrate how comparing entries in Chinese-European dictionaries reveals insights into both the history of the dictionaries and the translation processes. We analyze ren ’s definitions in various lexicographic sources, from early Sino-Portuguese dictionaries by Jesuits to Mandarin-Spanish dictionaries by Dominicans, and finally to the Dictionarium Sinico-Latinum by Franciscan Basilio Brollo (1648–1704). This comparative analysis highlights differences and connections between dictionaries, assesses their informative value regarding authorship and dating, and explores the missionaries’ diverse translation strategies.