ABSTRACT
This chapter analyzes Ricci’s achievements in creating geographical names and terminology, in particular, terms for the wǔ-dà-zhōu 五大洲 (Five Continents), terms for the sì-dà-yáng 四大洋 (Four Oceans), and related subjects. This chapter also analyzes how the “Four Continents” introduced into Chinese from Buddhism evolved into the “Five Continents” as the concept of continental geography created by Ricci. Following this, the word-making methods of Ricci’s geographical names are analyzed. The creation of terms is discussed – for instance, how wǔ-dà-zhōu and sì-dà-yáng are the results of the combination of internal and external forces; and why the word-making methods used for them are more complicated than for other place names created by Ricci, which use the relatively simple transliteration method. Finally, the chapter gives a detailed explanation of the linguistic rationale for Ricci’s strategies and methods.
