Introduction. The relevance of the study is driven by the need to comprehend historical practices of intercultural communication within the context of modern globalization challenges. The mission of Matteo Ricci in China (16th-17th centuries) serves as a classic example of an attempt to overcome civilizational barriers through dialogue rather than confrontation. However, the strategy of conceptual adaptation employed by Ricci has yet to receive a comprehensive linguo-philosophical analysis. Aim. To conduct a systematic analysis of the strategy of resemanticization of key Chinese philosophical concepts in Matteo Ricci's «Western Song» and to evaluate its effectiveness as a method for conveying Christian ideas. Methodology and research methods. The research is based on an interdisciplinary approach combining methods of conceptual analysis, historical-philosophical reconstruction, hermeneutics, and linguoculturology. The analysis was conducted on the material of Chinese philosophical canons («Analects», «Han Feizi», «Mozi», etc.), canonical texts of the Old and New Testaments, and the text of the first of the «Eight Songs for a Western Stringed Instrument/Qin» by Matteo Ricci. Results. Systematic semantic shifts in the interpretation of five key concepts («Mandate of Heaven», «Heaven», «Shang-di», «Noble man», «Impartiality») were identified. It was established that Ricci's strategy constituted a purposeful transformation of the immanent, cosmocentric paradigm of Chinese thought towards a theocentric and transcendent Christian model. The hermeneutical limits of this adaptation, determined by fundamental ontological differences, were defined. Scientific novelty. For the first time, a comprehensive linguo-philosophical analysis of Ricci's strategy in the «Western Song» through the prism of five interconnected concepts has been carried out. Practical significance. The results of the research can be used in works on comparative philosophy, the history of intercultural communication, translation studies, as well as in the practice of modern dialogues between civilizations.
Matteo Ricci, jesuit mission in China, cultural adaptation, resemanticization, chinese philosophy
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