The Image Of Cantonese In The Swedish In The Middle Of 18th Century

The image of China in the west is continually changing in the long process of historical development,but its clue can also be followed.It is widely acknowledged that the image of China in the west was constantly in an ascent stage of idealized treatment from its naissance to 18 th century.But is was sharply reversed since the late period of 18 century,from being beautified to being vilified,from being adored to being abhorred,from being idealized to being demonized.As one of the most important seaports in China during Ming and Qing Dynasties,Canton had received thousands of Westerners coming here to do business,to travel and to miss ionize.The Europeans such as missionaries,traders and envoys who observes and recorded canton and Cantonese in some different sides,the content refer to geography,resource,biology,traffic and custom and so on.These observations are the most important information to research images of China in the west.The article focuses on discussing the image of canton and canton’s people in Sweden’s eyes,with <A Voyage to China and the East Indies>by Pehr Osbeck as a reference text,,taking the observation of canton as the research object.Special country and identity of Sweden make different from other westerners.As a Nordic country,unlike other countries,Sweden had no relation to China until to The Sweden east India company founded,the relation was confined to peaceful commerce.So,It is big difference about how to view China between Sweden and other countries,Sweden looks at China with objective and neutral attitude even though affected by other countries.Osbeck came to China being pastor despatch,but the true goal was gather animal and plant material as a naturalist,he observed canton with cultural and religious tolerance.knowing from missionary and merchant.which is important part of image of China in the west.So,It should be paid close attention to.The westerners recorded what they had seen and heard in China,and described the details of what they knew about the city,Through arranging,classifying,analyzing these records,we can find that the image of China in the west is not all entirely true,complete and objective reflection of China,it is also the reproduction of China mixed with knowledge and imagination,formed during the specific historical and cultural context.Therefore through the western perspective we can not only see the image of China existing as the culture alien of the west formed in its own historical accumulation,but observe back in Chinese culture itself from multiple views,and understand it more comprehensive as well.