Asianists

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Individuals who study or specialize in the languages, cultures, history, or societies of Asia; scholars engaged in academic or cultural research related to Asian regions; experts focusing on the diverse aspects of Asian civilizations
2. People devoted to the scholarly examination of Asian countries' traditions, languages, and histories; professionals who analyze various elements of Asian cultures; researchers with expertise in the peoples and heritage of Asia
3. Those who pursue knowledge and understanding concerning Asian cultures, languages, and historical backgrounds; academics concentrating on the study of Asian societies; specialists in the fields relating to Asia’s cultural and intellectual landscapes

Etymology: "Asianists" is the plural of "Asianist," a noun for a scholar who studies Asia. The word is a straightforward construction: "Asian" with the suffix "-ist," which marks a person who practises or specialises in something. Other English words built the same way include "orientalist," "sinologist" and "Africanist," all naming experts on regions or cultures. The base word "Asian" comes from Latin "Asianus," itself borrowed from Greek "Asianos," derived from "Asia." The ultimate origin of "Asia" is uncertain, though it was used by the Greeks for the lands east of the Aegean, and the name gradually came to cover the vast continent that English speakers now recognise.

Synonyms: asian scholars, asian experts