"Many Italians understand ancient China and traditional Chinese culture, but they don't understand contemporary China." Why Does Socialism with Chinese Characteristics Work? Le Xiaoyue, an Italian teacher at Nankai University, said of why she decided to translate the book, "Most Italian students have learned about China through the experiences and articles of Westerners, and I think it is very necessary for some Chinese scholars to have the voice of some Chinese scholars at this time." ”
Le Xiaoyue, an Italian teacher at Nankai University. Courtesy of respondents
The translated works have attracted attention from all walks of life in Italy
Why Does Socialism with Chinese Characteristics Work? Edited by Professor Zhang Boying, the book covers all aspects of China, covering political, historical, economic, social, cultural, diplomatic and other aspects. In October 2019, the Italian translation of the book was published in the Italian 21st Century Marx Publishing House, and received many positive reviews as soon as it was published, which attracted widespread attention in both China and Italy. In the 21st Century, Marx Publishing House also organized a number of online forums on this book, including "The Role and Role of the Communist Party of China in China" and "Socialist Market Economy with Chinese Characteristics", etc. Many Italian professional scholars participated in the discussion and received enthusiastic responses.
Le Xiaoyue, who is not a Marxist major, admits that translating the book was a huge challenge for her, "this translation is the common result of all those who have helped me." Due to the usual need to undertake homework tasks, Le Xiaoyue can only use his spare time to translate. During the year, she consulted a wealth of materials, consulted many parties, referred to the translation results of her predecessors, and repeatedly deliberated on some terms with Chinese characteristics, in an effort to help the Italian audience understand China to the greatest extent.
In Le Xiaoyue's view, when learning and understanding China, Italian students are limited by language conditions, and most of them choose to read works in Italian or English, and these works are often written by Westerners, lacking Chinese perspective. Therefore, she hopes to add some voices from China to the Italians' understanding of China by translating the works of Chinese scholars.
Ms. Le Xiaoyue interacts with students in class. Courtesy of respondents
Changing italian stereotypes about China through translation
Regarding the significance of translation, Le Xiaoyue believes that translation is a very important way for people to understand different cultures. "Many Italians learn about an ancient China by reading traditional Chinese literature, and their impression of China is very lagging behind, and they may even think that Chinese are still wearing Tang costumes, and if they really come to China, they will find that China is a very modern country, full of skyscrapers. Therefore, it is important not only to translate ancient Chinese classics, but also to translate contemporary Chinese works. ”
Le Xiaoyue, whose original name was Letizia Valini, came from a small city near Bologna, Italy, and she learned about China through Marco Polo From a young age. Before actually coming to China, she read the works of many Chinese writers, including Mo Yan, to understand China in this way, but the level of Development of China was still unexpected. "Too much change!" Talking about his feelings after coming to China, Le Xiaoyue couldn't help but sigh. In 2013, Le Xiaoyue, who studied foreign Chinese and literature at the University of Bologna, applied for a scholarship from the Confucius Institute and came to Nankai University to pursue graduate studies at the School of Chinese Language and Culture. Over the past few years, Le Xiaoyue has not only witnessed the rapid development of the Internet + industry such as takeaway and express delivery, but also marveled at the speed at which China can build a shopping mall in a year. Le Xiaoyue said that although the pace of life is fast, there are some beautiful things that have not changed, such as whenever she sees children playing in the park and dancing old people, "it is like entering another world, calm and peaceful."
Before the outbreak, Le Xiaoyue's parents came to Visit her in China. Before leaving, Le Xiaoyue's mother said to her, "Now that I know what kind of place you live in, I am relieved." ”
Students from the Italian Department of the College of Foreign Chinese of Nankai University performed "Thunderstorm" in Italian. Courtesy of respondents
Use language to build a bridge of communication
As a teacher teaching Italian in China, Le Xiaoyue loves her profession very much. For her, she and her students are a learning relationship, teaching languages is not only standing on the podium to lecture, but also building a bridge between the two cultures. "Learning a foreign language doesn't just mean learning about another culture, it means being able to introduce your own culture in the other person's language."
According to Le Xiaoyue, since its establishment in 2017, the Italian Department of the College of Foreign Chinese of Nankai University has held many Sino-Italian cultural exchange activities, including inviting Italian professors to give lectures, establishing Italian corners, organizing summer courses, and performing Chinese dramas in Italian. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, offline lectures have been affected, but online activities continue. In June 2021, students from the Italian Department of the School of Foreign Chinese of Nankai University and teachers and students from the First University of Rome in Italy had an online exchange, and students from the two countries talked about their countries and lives in each other's languages, which also realized Le Xiaoyue's original intention of teaching Chinese culture in Italian. Recently, teachers and students of the Italian Department of Nankai University and Santa Ana University in Italy also participated in the "Z Generation" online activity of entering the live broadcast room of China Eastern Airlines.
Teachers and students from the Italian Department of Nankai University and the University of Santa Ana in Italy participated in the activities of entering the live broadcast room of China Eastern Airlines. Courtesy of respondents
In recent years, both China and Italy have seen a boom in learning each other's languages. According to Le Xiaoyue, there are already 23 universities in China that specialize in Italian, and more and more people in Italy are beginning to learn Chinese.
"Culture is the glue, it has no limits, no boundaries, it has the power to transcend all obstacles. Cultural exchanges are the foundation of friendly relations between the two countries. Le Xiaoyue believes that colleges and universities are of great significance in terms of cultural exchanges, because "education can eliminate prejudices and misunderstandings that may occur in the process of dialogue between the two cultures." Le Xiaoyue said that universities are not only an important role in educating future talents in China and Italy, but also help to establish closer ties between the two countries.
This year marks the Year of Chinese-Italian Culture and Tourism, and Le Xiaoyue is also continuing a series of Chinese-Italian translations, according to her, the second volume of "From Chang'an to Rome" translated by her and colleagues Shi Dou and Ni Yang is expected to be published this year. Le Xiaoyue said that he will continue to cooperate with Italian universities and hopes to take the opportunity of the Beijing Winter Olympics to hold more cultural exchange thematic activities to contribute to the promotion of friendship between the two countries.