Interwoven processes in linguistic historiography

This article presents an integrated perspective on the history of Chinese linguistics in Europe by examining the interplay of logistic, material, and institutional factors. Asking how knowledge related to the Chinese language was obtained, diffused, and preserved, it examines linguistic historiography through the prism of accessibility to China and its resulting corollaries for formulating and testing hypotheses about the Chinese language. The nineteenth century is seen as a time of professionalisation characterized by increased opportunities for engagement with China and its language, the creation of academic positions and teaching programs, technical advances in digraphic printing, and the return of competent speakers of the Chinese language.