Richard Wilhelm’s Engagement in German-Chinese Terminology Work and Related Interactions in Qingdao Before 1914

The missionary, translator, and sinologist Richard Wilhelm (1873‑1930) is widely recognised as a cultural intermediary between China and Germany. However, attention has mostly focused on his translations of Chinese philosophical classics for a German-speaking audience and his efforts to create a positive image of China in Europe. In this article, the focus is shifted to Wilhelm’s less-explored contributions in the opposite direction. We will highlight his efforts in conveying ‘Western’ knowledge to China. Emphasis will be placed on his projects involving the creation of bilingual or multilingual dictionaries, glossaries and textbooks for natural sciences within the context of his teaching activities, as well as collaborations with the Chinese teaching staff at the school for Chinese boys in his mission station in Qingdao. This article will demonstrate how Wilhelm’s school, the German-Chinese Seminar, serves as an intriguing case study of a “space of circulation” for interactions between German and Chinese actors in the translation and transfer of ‘Western’ knowledge and terminology to and in China, and explores personal interactions, exchanges, and the collaborative production of texts and knowledge.