Sino

[skibum]

Does anyone know where the use of Sino as a subsitute for China came from?

[Thomas Promise]

Does anyone know where the use of Sino as a subsitute for China came from?

 

http://www.crystalinks.com/chinahistory.html

[Randy W]

Sino¨C

pref.

 

Chinese: Sinology.

 

[From Late Latin S¨©nae, the Chinese, from Greek S¨©nai, from Arabic S¨©n, China, probably from Chinese Q¨ªn, Qin. See Qin.]

[david_dawei]

China History Forum

[tywy_99]

Does anyone know where the use of Sino as a subsitute for China came from?

Just GOOGLE it.

[dnoblett]

English and many other languages use various forms of the name "China" and the prefix "Sino-" or "Sin-". These forms are thought to be probably derived from the name of the Qin Dynasty that first unified the country (221-206 BCE).[1] The Qin Dynasty unified the written language in China and gave the supreme ruler of China the title of "Emperor" instead of "King," thus the subsequent Silk Road traders might have identified themselves by that name.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sino Edited November 24, 2006 by dnoblett (see edit history)

[tywy_99]

Does anyone know where the use of Sino as a subsitute for China came from?

Just GOOGLE it.

Here's one:

 

SINO

[dnoblett]

Yes references tend to make the connection between "Qin" and "Sin" Qin can be pronounced "Sin"

[david_dawei]

here's what my research turns up:

 

Qin (Chin, Ch'in, Sin)

 

One arguement goes:

How Qin is pronounced today is not the same as it was pronounced in ancient times by the chinese... [Gin /dZin/] THEREFORE, it cannot come from Qin.

 

This might be true... but this argument is lacking IMO as it is not how the chinese pronounced it that matters, but how foreign people who came into contact with them did...

 

 

Another arguement goes:

It cannot come from Qin dynasty since this is anachronistic. It was used prior to this dynasty. THEREFORE, it cannot come from Qin.

 

This might be true.. but the history of the Qin people obviously pre-date the Qin dynasty (which is represented as the unification of china). The Qin state [proper] was in the west, and therefore the western traders had contact with Persia or India.

 

 

ORIGIN IN FOREIGN (to chinese) LANGUAGES:

 

Hebrew, (Sin, Sinim)... bible believers will find some interesting stuff on this if you research it.

 

French, Chine (our word China)

 

Greek, Sinai

 

Latin, Sinae

 

Arabic, Sin

 

Persian, Chini

 

Ancient Romans called the chinese, Serre

 

Ancient greeks called the chinese, Sinnai

[skibum]

Thanks all.

[chilton747]

Thanks all.

Dere be some mighty smart folks here on CFL...........

[izus]

does sina have anything to do with sino?

Edited November 28, 2006 by izus (see edit history)