What is comparative literature? How to use in English

Definition & pronunciation of comparative literature

comparative literaturenoun
văn học so sánh
/kəmˌpærətɪv ˈlɪtrətʃə(r)//kəmˌpærətɪv ˈlɪtrətʃər/

Where does the word comparative literature come from?

The term "comparative literature" originated in the late 19th century as a response to the growing trend of nationalism and the subsequent emergence of literary studies becoming increasingly isolated within national boundaries. Early internationalist literary scholars recognized the need to study literature in a broader context, comparing texts from different languages and cultures to provide new insights and perspectives. The German scholar Friedrich Padßenhen activated the word "Vergleichende Literaturwissenschaft" in 1875, which translates as "comparative literature." The French term "létude comparée des littératures" was coined by the Germanist Gustav Grober, who published a comprehensive bibliographical guide in his 1880 book "Handbuch der Altertumswissenschaft," which included this term. The term "comparative literature" gained popularity in the English-speaking world through the translation of the French scholar Georges Politès' book "La Nouvelle Pensée Littéraire" in 1934. The creation of the term "comparative literature" marked a significant shift in literary studies from a narrow, parochial focus on the individual national literature to a more expansive and interconnected view of the study of literature.

Example of vocabulary comparative literaturenamespace

Hannah's degree in comparative literature allowed her to analyze the similarities and differences between Shakespearean plays and their counterparts in other European languages.
In her comparative literature class, Maya learned to appreciate the nuances of Chinese and Japanese poetry, seeing how they influenced each other through shared themes.
Through his comparative literature studies, Daniel discovered unexpected connections between Arabic literature and the works of the Beat Generation writers in the United States.
As a comparative literature major, Emily became fluent in two language traditions and was able to write persuasive papers delving into the complexity of their relationship.
The comparative literature conference provided a forum for David to share his research comparing medieval Icelandic literature to the Middle English texts of Chaucer.