Abstract: Among the multiple origins of comparative literature, one is related to modern philology originated in Germany as both a research method and a discipline paradigm. Both regard texts as secular objects that can be examined and criticized, rather than infallible sacred ones; both focus on spiritual products created by human beings, such as language and literature, rather than animals and plants in the natural world. German philology later gave rise to two main disciplines: linguistics with historical-comparative language as the pinnacle achievement, and national philology represented by Germanistik. What they left for comparative literature are the methods of tracing the “origin”, historicizing materials, and the awareness of seeking comparisons beyond the parochialism of “national literature”. In addition, German Romance philology in exile also became an important resource of American comparative literature in the first half of the 20th century.

Key words: comparative literature, origin, Germany, philology