Abstract

Transcription and Translation of the 1658 Jesuit Annual Letter, VietnamNathan Joseph RichardsonDepartment of Spanish and Portuguese, BYUMaster of ArtsThis project provides a translation and two transcriptions (semi-diplomatic and normalized) of the 1658 Jesuit Annua letter sent from the Tonkin kingdom (now Vietnam) to Jesuit authorities back in Portugal. Specifically, the letter, which is housed in the archives of the worldwide Society of Jesus in Rome (folder 89, Japonica Sinica series, fols 286-290v), reports the progress of the Jesuit mission in that kingdom. However, it also contains a fascinating account of contemporary political and other events there. The purpose of this project is to make this letter accessible to a variety of readers. The English translation makes the letter's contents available to an English readership interested in Portugal's expansion in Asia, especially the activities of Jesuit missionaries in Vietnam; the normalized transcription is aimed at those with similar interests who read Portuguese; and the semi-diplomatic transcription, together with a facsimile of the original manuscript, is intended for those who study the history of the Portuguese language and are particularly concerned with the edition of early modern texts.

Degree

College and Department

Humanities; Spanish and Portuguese

Rights

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