First Reference Book on Classical Taiwan Literature Released
National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) released yesterday the world’s first reference book on literature in Taiwan, titled “Chronology of Classical Literature in Taiwan: The Ming and Qing Dynasties.” The book provides researchers with macroscopic point of view on classical literature in Taiwan and its relationship to corresponding historical events.
The 800-page book was published last November after seven years of hard work by a team of 27 researchers led by two NCKU Professors, Yi-Lin Shih (施懿琳) and Mei-Yu Liao (廖美玉) from Department of Chinese Literature of NCKU.
It traces the development of classical literature in Taiwan from 1651-1895 under five headings- “writers events“, “literary and education events”, “significant events in Taiwan”, “significant events in the Qing Dynasty” and “significant events in the world.”
Historical records in the book begin from 1651, late in the Ming Dynasty, when the first writer and scholar, Kuang-Wen Sheng, migrated from China to Taiwan, and thus the development of Taiwan literature began.
Professor Liao said that readers will discover that while the rise and fall of the dynasties in China hinged on wars, it was only literature that reflected people’s everyday lives, social phenomena of the times, and the state of physical environment at that time.
According to Professor Shih, the development of classical literature in Taiwan should have a place in history and should be examined within the context of significant events of the time to understand the meaning and value of the literati, works and literary activities during specific periods.
Professor Shih became aware of a dearth of information on the Taiwanese classical literature when she joined the project for collecting, editing and publishing Taiwanese poetry. And she was driven to write the book based on this observation and on the belief that there was a link between the development of classical literature in Taiwan and the politics and social events of past eras.
The data-collecting and information analysis was unexpectedly much more difficult and time-consuming. The process involves 27 researchers and scholars from other institutes, such as Southern Taiwan University of Technology, National Museum of Taiwan Literature, etc.
“The book offers a vast amount of data for research on Taiwan literature,” Professor Liao said. “It can be viewed as valuable reference book for others who care for any issues of Taiwan because it can contribute the scientific research development,” Liao added. For example, the historical records regarding to earthquake and snowy storm from 1645~1715 in this book provides critical proof for Dr. Jann-Yenq Liu’s (National Central University) research on solar activities and natural disasters.
The 800-page book was published last November after seven years of hard work by a team of 27 researchers led by two NCKU Professors, Yi-Lin Shih (施懿琳) and Mei-Yu Liao (廖美玉) from Department of Chinese Literature of NCKU.
It traces the development of classical literature in Taiwan from 1651-1895 under five headings- “writers events“, “literary and education events”, “significant events in Taiwan”, “significant events in the Qing Dynasty” and “significant events in the world.”
Historical records in the book begin from 1651, late in the Ming Dynasty, when the first writer and scholar, Kuang-Wen Sheng, migrated from China to Taiwan, and thus the development of Taiwan literature began.
Professor Liao said that readers will discover that while the rise and fall of the dynasties in China hinged on wars, it was only literature that reflected people’s everyday lives, social phenomena of the times, and the state of physical environment at that time.
According to Professor Shih, the development of classical literature in Taiwan should have a place in history and should be examined within the context of significant events of the time to understand the meaning and value of the literati, works and literary activities during specific periods.
Professor Shih became aware of a dearth of information on the Taiwanese classical literature when she joined the project for collecting, editing and publishing Taiwanese poetry. And she was driven to write the book based on this observation and on the belief that there was a link between the development of classical literature in Taiwan and the politics and social events of past eras.
The data-collecting and information analysis was unexpectedly much more difficult and time-consuming. The process involves 27 researchers and scholars from other institutes, such as Southern Taiwan University of Technology, National Museum of Taiwan Literature, etc.
“The book offers a vast amount of data for research on Taiwan literature,” Professor Liao said. “It can be viewed as valuable reference book for others who care for any issues of Taiwan because it can contribute the scientific research development,” Liao added. For example, the historical records regarding to earthquake and snowy storm from 1645~1715 in this book provides critical proof for Dr. Jann-Yenq Liu’s (National Central University) research on solar activities and natural disasters.
Provider:
新聞中心
Date:
98-02-27
