关于概念史研究的几点思考

概念史是历史语义研究的著名范式,尤其是德国概念史模式享誉世界,备受推崇和借鉴。概念史方法在逐渐国际化的过程中,也在不断适应不同地域历史文化的研究取向,同时越来越显现出解决悬而未决的理论问题的迫切性。在中国新近的概念史实践中,量化分析较为常见。倘若忽视概念史方法的要领,很可能发现不了相关历史“真相”。另外值得关注的是概念史与新文化史的关系,二者有着不同的问题意识和追求。最后,概念之国际传输中的翻译困难是一个从来就有的难题。全球视野中的历史语义学是复杂的、跨地域的考析,是概念史国际化过程中极有意义的挑战。

Some Thoughts Concerning Research on Conceptual History

Conceptual history,also known as“the history of concepts”(Germ.:Begriffsgeschichte),is a well-known paradigm of historical semantics.It is especially the German“model”of conceptual history that is highly regarded worldwide;it is often cited as an exemplary research method.While it is becoming gradually internationalized,we can observe a constant effort to adapt it to the distinctive histories and cultures of the local.At the same time,conceptual historical theory has not yet been able to solve some problems,and they have become increasingly urgent.In its recent practice in China,it is widespread that researchers often rely on quantitative analysis.If one overlooks the essence of the conceptual historical method,the relevant“truth”of history is very unlikely to be discovered,however.In this context,the relationship between conceptual history and New Cultural History deserves attention,as we believe that the two deal with different questions and concerns.Last but not least,the difficulty in translation in the international transfer of terms is an intrinsic challenge.Seen from a global perspective,one could argue that historical semantics has to be based on a complicated transregional research process;in return,which poses a meaningful challenge in the internationalization of conceptual history.