1853年4月,伦敦大学国王学院①汉语教授萨默斯出版了他的首部中文研究著作《中国语言和文学讲义》(Lecture on the Chinese Language and Literature)②,这原是萨默斯在伦敦大学国王学院发表的一篇学术演讲,出版时增加了附录部分,收有古今各种字体的汉字。文中指出了研究中国以及学习中国语言的重要性,向听众和读者介绍了汉语和汉字的特点,并着重分析了汉字的表意性和汉字的“六书”。对汉语的语音、词汇、语法以及中国文学进行了简要的介绍,有许多见解至今仍有重要的学术价值,特约译出,以飨读者,文章的题目与文中小标题均系译者所加。 In April 1853, King’s College London (LSU) ① Prof. Summers published his first book, Lecture on the Chinese Language and Literature, originally from Summers at the University of London An academic speech from King’s College added an appendix at the time of publication, containing Chinese characters from ancient and modern times. The article points out the importance of studying China and learning Chinese, introducing the characteristics of Chinese and Chinese to audiences and readers, and emphasizing on the distinctiveness of Chinese characters and the “six books” of Chinese characters. A brief introduction is made on Chinese pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar and Chinese literature. Many of the opinions still have important academic value so far. Special translations have been made to interpret readers, the titles of articles and the subtitle of the text.