Global Civilization Studies
GCS, Vol. 1, No. 1, 2026, pp.41-76.
Print ISSN: 3106-0978; Online ISSN: 3106-0986
Journal homepage:https://www.gcsjournal.com
DOI： https://doi.org/10.64058/gcs260104psecc
A Preliminary Study of Early Chinese-Canadian Literature (1882–1966)
Abstract: Drawing on literary historical materials discovered over the past decade, this article undertakes a dual investigation utilizing both theoretical and textual research to explore the origins of Chinese-language literature in Canada, clarifying shortcomings and misinterpretations in previous studies on this topic. By examining Chinese literary works published in newspapers and community periodicals over nearly eighty years (1882-1966) along with related community contexts and literary activities of key figures, this study outlines a relatively comprehensive trajectory of Chinese language literary development in Canada. On this basis, it seeks to construct an academic framework for the study of early Chinese-language literature, thereby addressing the current state of conflicting opinions on early Chinese-Canadian literature. Notably, the discovery and analysis of the literary characteristics in The Diary of Dukesang Wong provide fresh perspectives on several key issues, including the timeline pertaining to the origins of early Chinese-Canadian literature, the “Non-Siyi”(Four Counties of Guangdong) background of its authorship, and the diary’s reflection of the historical era of railway construction. Furthermore, the logical analysis of Chinese wall poetry corrects long-standing misunderstandings concerning the origins of early Chinese-Canadian literature. Finally, through its analytical positioning across multiple dimensions and genres of Chinese-Canadian literary production, the study opens up a new yet clearly defined path for research on early Chinese-Canadian literature.
Keywords: A Preliminary Exploration of the Origins of Chinese-Canadian Literature; The Diary of Dukesang Wong; Sun Bo; The Chinese Times; Literary Sections
Author Biographies: Guo Ding, Canadian commentator and historian, Senior research fellow at the Culture Regeneration Research Society, Visiting Professor at Shanghai Normal University. Research focus: China-Canada relations. E-mail:guo d@hotmail.com. BaoHeng (Bobbie) Jia, Scholar and part-time researcher at the Overseas Chinese College of Wenzhou University, Advisor to the Chinese Culture Preservation & Development Association of Canada. Research area: the history of Chinese immigrants in Canada. E-mail: jiabaoheng@hotmail.com.
题目：早期加拿大华文文学初探（1882-1966）
摘要：本文运用近十年发现的文学史料，对加拿大华文文学的缘起做了学术理论和文本研究的双重探讨，辨析了以往华文文学缘起研究的缺失与误读。并通过将近八十年（1882－1966）历史时期刊登在华文报刊和社区刊物上的华文文学作品以及相关的社区、人物的文学活动，勾勒出较为全面的加拿大华文文学发展轨迹，并试图据此建构早期华文文学研究的学术范畴，从而改变迄今为止众说纷纭的加拿大早期华文文学研究的现状。值得注意的是，本文对黄笃生日记的文学特性的发现和挖掘，给早期加华文学起源的时间点、作者身份的“非广东四邑特征”、日记反映的修铁路大时代等问题，带来了崭新的观察点；而本文对华人壁诗的逻辑辨析，纠正了早期加华文学缘起问题的长期误读；最后，本文对涉及加华文学众多层面和作品类别的学术分析定位，为早期加华文学研究开辟了全新但相当清晰的路径。
关键词：加华文学起源初探；黄笃生日记；《新报》；《大汉公报》；文学版面
作者简介：丁果，加拿大评论家，历史学家，文化更新研究中心高级研究员，上海师范大学客座教授。研究方向：中加关系。电邮：guo_d@hotmail.com。贾葆蘅,独立学者，温州大学华侨学院兼职研究员，加拿大中华文化保护与发展协会顾问。研究方向：加拿大华人移民史。电邮：jiabaoheng@hotmail.com.
Received: 11 Mar 2026 / Revised: 18 May 2026 / Accepted: 22 May 2026 / Published online: 30 May 2026 / Print published: 30 June 2026.
