Sinophone Studies: A Critical Reader

Global Chinese Culture

by Shu-mei Shih (Editor), Chien-hsin Tsai (Editor), Brian Bernards (Editor)

This definitive anthology casts Sinophone studies as the study of Sinitic-language cultures born of colonial and postcolonial influences. Essays by such authors as Rey Chow, Ha Jin, Leo Ou-fan Lee, Ien Ang, Wei-ming Tu, and David Wang address debates concerning the nature of Chineseness while introducing readers to essential readings in Tibetan, Malaysian, Taiwanese, French, Caribbean, and American Sinophone literatures. By placing Sinophone cultures at the crossroads of multiple empires, this anthology richly demonstrates the transformative power of multiculturalism and multilingualism, and by examining the place-based cultural and social practices of Sinitic-language communities in their historical contexts beyond "China proper," it effectively refutes the diasporic framework. It is an invaluable companion for courses in Asian, postcolonial, empire, and ethnic studies, as well as world and comparative literature.

Genres: Nonfiction

472 pages, Hardcover

First published December 25, 2012

Reviews

[Brady Turpin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I believe this book accomplishes what it was meant to: introducing the reader (or likely researcher) to the vast world of Sinophone studies, especially literature. While I didn't find some arguments wholly convincing, I believe Dr. Shih presents a strong case that Chinese language writings/studies outside of China should be called Sinophone, as Chinese is a language of colonization just as much as English or French is. It will be interesting to see how the field develops from here.