关键词: 汉学; 翻译; 中国哲学与文学; 德国汉学家顾彬

Abstract:

In 2017 Prof. Liuyan interviewed German sinologist Prof. Wolfgang Kubin, who had two lectures in Beijing International Studies University (BISU). The first lecture “Chinese Literature and Philosophy Translation and oversea Communication” was held on April 11 ^th, the second “The Importance of Misunderstanding: the Images of China on German Sinology” was held on October 1 ^st. They discussed Sinology interpretation, translation and communication of Chinese philosophy and literature. They also mentioned the spirit of Chinese culture, the history and special features of German Sinology, the melancholy motif in western and Chinese literature, the importance of “misunderstanding” and understanding translation. Prof. Kubin emphasizes foreign language is the door to open the world. Translation is very important to transform one cultural voice to another. Hermeneutics provides the theoretical basis to understand the potential meaning of texts. A good translator is good at listening the inner voice of the authors and texts, philosophy and the experience of writing, being proficient in his own mother tongue. Prof. Kubin also proposes German sinologists are “ferrymen” and “missionaries” to western and Chinese culture. On the one hand, they need to introduce Chinese literature and culture to Germans, to make Chinese literature to be part of the world literature; on the other hand, they introduce German culture and literature to Chinese. Different sinologists from different countries construct Chinese images with their cultural characters when studying about China. Although they may construct wrong images of China, these images present the desires of their self-consciousness and cultural reflection.

Keywords: Sinology; translation; Chinese philosophy and literature; Prof. Wolfgang Kubin