Chapter 252 My fiancée’s beautiful photo and name
“Cultural soft power refers to the cohesion, vitality, innovation and communication ability of a country’s culture, as well as the resulting charisma and influence The general name." Fang Minghua explained patiently.
Seeing Zhang Ling's confused look, Fang Minghua felt that what he was talking about was a bit abstract. After thinking about it, he asked: "For example: when you come to the United States, in addition to experiencing the developed economy and the rich life of the people, in What else do you feel about culture?”
“I’m sorry, Brother Minghua, I’ve been here for two days, but I haven’t felt anything else.” Zhang Ling felt a little embarrassed.
Yishu, who was quietly eating salad beside him, interrupted at this time: "I think Hollywood movies and music songs have a great influence on Xiangjiang. The songs in Xiangjiang are often covers of Japanese songs, and Japanese songs The music is also deeply influenced by European and American music.”
"Yes, this has become a cultural business card for the other party. No matter where you go when it comes to music and film culture, you can't avoid Hollywood. This will virtually improve the other party's strength."
"Wow, you The analysis is so thorough and amazing!" Zhang Ling said.
Fang Minghua smiled and said nothing.
"Then what cultural soft power do you think our country has? Ancient poetry?" Zhang Ling asked again.
"Brother Zhang, what do you think?" Fang Minghua asked this question to Zhang Xianliang.
Zhang Xianliang was concentrating on a piece of steak on the plate. After hearing this, he raised his head and said: "Minghua, you are testing me. I think calligraphy, traditional Chinese painting, traditional Chinese medicine, etc., including martial arts, these are all Chinese Foreigners are also very interested in traditional Chinese quintessence, which can be regarded as the soft power of our country.
“But what I think is the most attractive is our country’s ancient poetry. However, the translation of this thing is a big problem, and it is often translated. If it becomes English, it will lose the charm of our poetry. "
"Yes, but Professor Xu Yuanchong of Yan University has published an English translation of "One Hundred and Fifty Tang Poems". I think the translation is quite good, and I even brought a copy here. "Fang Minghua explained.
"What, are you going to talk about ancient Chinese poetry? Don’t you plan to talk about avant-garde literature? "Zhang Xianliang heard the meaning of Fang Minghua's words.
"Pioneering literature originally originated in Europe and the United States. I don't think it is interesting. It is better to talk about our country's own things. ”
"Are you going to talk about Tang poetry or Song poetry?" Zhang Xianliang asked.
"No, "The Book of Songs""
"The Book of Songs"? !
The other three were surprised when they heard this.
The Book of Songs is indeed beautiful, but it is very difficult to understand. Many Chinese people do not understand it, let alone foreigners.
"Minghua, there is a big problem when talking about the Book of Songs, and that is translation. You must give an example, right? Can Lisa translate that example?" Yi Shu interrupted and expressed his worries.
“Of course she can’t translate it.” Fang Minghua smiled and said, “I’ll do it myself.”
“Yourself?” Zhang Xianliang was a little skeptical.
When did your English become so good?
Can you translate the Book of Songs? !
"Oh, that's it." Fang Minghua explained: "A friend of mine is the girl Li Li I met that day in Yanjing. Her tutor is Xu Yuanchong, a professor at Yanjing University. He has translated sentences in the Book of Songs. Li Li once Let me take a look, and I’m going to learn from it directly.”
“Xu Yuanchong? I’ve heard that he was a student at Southwest Associated University during the Anti-Japanese War and was known as one of the “Five Talents of the Associated University”, along with Yang Zhenning. Levin ranked first in science. "Yishu said: "Last year I was invited to give a lecture at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and I was fortunate enough to listen to him. "
"Yes, that's him. "Fang Minghua smiled.
"In that case, Minghua, you should be ready! I heard that there will be a poetry recital later, and it can be used then. "Zhang Xianliang said.
Actually, Fang Minghua lied.
Xu Yuanchong did translate the Book of Songs.
It is difficult to translate poems that are similar in form, but even more similar in spirit, and it is especially difficult to be similar in both spirit and form; and being similar in spirit and form is the highest goal of translating poetry. The "Book of Songs" translated by Mr. Xu Yuanchong has reached a very high level in terms of similarity in spirit and shape, and is the best among the complete translations of the "Book of Songs".
Before coming to this era, Fang Minghua had read his English translation of "The Book of Songs" and was immediately astonished. However, the English translation of "The Book of Songs" seems to have been published only in the 1990s!
Fang Minghua only remembers a few of the classics.
But it is enough to cope with a lecture of dozens of minutes.
Now that he has decided, Fang Minghua actively prepares and communicates with Lisa after writing. No matter how good he writes, he still has to rely on the girl to translate it.
Fang Minghua’s lecture will be held a week later. He requested it on his own initiative. He will give it after everyone has finished speaking.
Today, it rained in Iowa City.
The sky and air are fresh, and the red phone booths and green benches on the street are pleasing to the eye. They are still on the second floor of Prairie Light Bookstore.
Only then were there more students than visiting writers.
Fang Minghua stood on the podium and glanced around as a habit. Some of the faces of the students who had been here several times were already familiar. They sometimes held discussions after class, but they couldn't remember their names.
"Girls, gentlemen, classmates, the topic I am talking about today is "The Beauty of Ancient Chinese Poetry", which is specifically about a collection of poems that was circulated in our country more than 2,600 years ago, and its name is "The Book of Songs""< br>
More than 2,600 years ago?
The audience below let out a low cry.
The United States did not exist before 2600, and Europe was still in the ancient Greek era, right?
The era of literary and artistic pioneers such as Homer and Solon.
Fang Minghua’s words immediately aroused the interest of the students, and everyone looked at him.
Unexpectedly, Fang Minghua did not continue talking but took out a photo from his pocket and said with a smile: "This is a photo of my beautiful fiancée. I take her with me and look at it at night. It feels like she is by my side.”
Fang Minghua’s words were translated by Lisa, and the students below laughed kindly.
This is really disgusting to say in China, but in the United States, it is really common. The students in the front row were curious to take it and look at the photo.
It is a color photo.
There is a beautiful oriental girl on it, wearing a red dress, with long black hair as smooth as satin, with picturesque eyebrows, and a hint of heroism in her beauty.
"Wow Mr. Fang, your fiancée is so beautiful!" Even Lisa next to her couldn't help but sigh.
“Thank you.” Fang Minghua replied and said: “She also has a nice name called Song Tangtang. Minghua wrote three words on the top of the blackboard, among which Tangtang comes from a poem in the Book of Songs. Poetry is called
"Hide the Fu Gantang, do not cut it, do not cut it, it is where Zhao Bo will cut it.
Hold the Fu Gantang, do not cut it, do not break it, it will be rested by Zhao Bo.
Hold the Fu Gantang, do not cut it. Don't worship, what Uncle Zhao said.
"What does it mean?" That is to say, the lovely Gantang tree, don’t cut it down! Duke Zhao once slept in the open here. The lovely Gantang tree, don’t hurt it! Duke Zhao rested here. The lovely Gantang tree, don’t break it! Duke Zhao lived here temporarily. "
"The Gantang tree is very beautiful when it blooms. It is white as snow and has the artistic conception of "Tangli frying snow". In autumn, "Tangli leaves fall rouge color", and the crimson leaves are another characteristic of them. ”
"All these describe the beauty of a woman, just like my girlfriend."
Applause burst out in the conference room again, not sure whether it was for Fang Minghua's wonderful lecture or for the beauty of the Chinese girl named Song Tangtang.
(End of this chapter)