China News Agency, Beijing, March 12th: Scholar Chen Zhongyi talks about "Chinese Literature Going Global": Western attitudes have changed from curiosity to understanding
China News Agency reporter Zhang Xiaoxi
"There are many foreign translations of Chinese writers' works, but they are still in their infancy, with great potential. Our creativity and imagination are far from unleashed." This is what a reporter from the news agency said in an exclusive interview.
Chen Zhongyi once studied in the Foreign Languages Department of Fudan University, and then went to Mexico to study abroad. His research direction is Spanish literature and literature.
Looking back on his study abroad career, he said that compared with his native Spanish-speaking classmates, learning Spanish literature is somewhat difficult, but "people share the same heart and the same reason", literature is the easiest to integrate, and it has its own logic, which can Create an emotional and cultural atmosphere.
"Every literary work has a logical core. The ancient Chinese called it 'shuyan'. Once you find this logical core, many other contents will gradually become clear." Chen Zhongyi said.
After returning to China in the 1980s, Chen Zhongyi engaged in translation work, introducing the works of Latin American writers.
"In fact, Latin American culture is closer to our culture. Different from European rationalism, there are many dialectical cultural elements similar to ours in Latin America, especially ancient Indian civilization." He mentioned that many Chinese writers have also Influenced by Latin American literature, he carried out "root-seeking" creation.
In Chen Zhongyi’s view, “Chinese Literature Going Global” after the reform and opening up, on the one hand, benefited from the film media, including the film “Red Sorghum” directed by Zhang Yimou and Mo Yan, which won many international awards; on the other hand, it also benefited from With an open mind, everyone dares to think and write, so that literature can prosper.
He also said that it is a good opportunity for Mo Yan to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. In the process of going out, Chinese literature should be at the forefront, because the tentacles of literature are sensitive, and it can reflect the times and life.
Chen Zhongyi believes that the current situation of "Chinese Literature Going Global" is very good, but it cannot be expected to be completed in one step. It takes a process for foreigners to truly understand Chinese literature and culture, and national strength also plays a key role.
"The West's attitude towards us at the beginning was curiosity-seeking, but now they really want to know more about it." He pointed out that with the strengthening of the country's strength, Chinese literature has gradually received international attention and recognition. Chinese writers must work harder to improve Self-cultivation, better understanding and judgment of ourselves and the outside world; on the other hand, when the West is still suspicious and wary of us, we must have rich content and vivid plots to truly impress others.
He mentioned that literary works such as "The Three-Body Problem" have "goed out" because the content itself is attractive and has gained some international influence.
Chen Zhongyi has held international seminars in recent years, inviting sinologists and others to exchange and discuss Chinese writers and their works.
"Our potential is limitless. The key is the prosperity of the country and the people's security, political and economic stability, and maintaining a good social environment." He said.
During the two sessions of the country this year, he advocated "reading for all", suggesting that children be given sufficient reading time to cultivate reading habits and aesthetic appeal from an early age.
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