Research On Catholics' Studying Chinese In China During Ming And Qing Dynasties

It is Ming and Qing dynasties that have painted thick color in communicating between the western and the east in Chinese history, which reflected on two sides. One is western scientific knowledge flowed in China by communication; the other is eastern knowledge flowed in the west paying further influences on politics, economy and culture of the west. It is the missionaries who had the dream of saving the lambs of God that become the bridge of this communication. Accounting of the differences on understanding between two sides, the missionaries conformed to the policy on mission by culture and moderation under the conditions avoiding severe conflicts and collisions. Under the direction of moderate policy, the first task for the missionaries coming in Ming and Qing dynasties is to study Chinese. Nevertheless, to naturalize such nationality that kept calm to Christianity is too difficult without a certain basis of Chinese. The end, manner, policy of mission, development status and influences are all reflected in such research. This paper is to concentrate on Catholics' studying Chinese, then look back and analyze comprehensively on such subject that the missionaries studied Chinese in China.