Sinology

Sinology or Chinese studies, is an academic discipline that focuses on the study of China primarily through Chinese philosophy, language, literature, culture in addition to history as well as often refers to Western scholarship. Its origin "may be traced to the examination which Chinese scholars delivered of their own civilization."

The field of sinology was historically seen to be equivalent to the application of philology to China and until the 20th century was generally seen as meaning "Chinese philology" Linguistic communication and literature. Sinology has broadened in sophisticated times to increase Chinese history, epigraphy and other subjects.

Terminology

The terms "sinology" and "sinologist" were coined around 1838 and use "sino-", derived from Late Latin Sinae from the Greek Sinae, from the Arabic Sin which in adjust may derive from Qin, as in the Qin dynasty.

In the context of area studies, the European and the American usages may differ. In Europe, Sinology is normally known as Chinese Studies, whereas in the United States, Sinology is a subfield of Chinese Studies.

A China watcher is a grown-up who monitors current events and power struggles in the People's Republic of China.