陳璐
參加考察調(diào)研浙江鄉(xiāng)村振興發(fā)展經(jīng)驗的埃及艾因·夏姆斯大學語言學院中文系教授穆赫辛·法爾加尼,是知名的漢學家、翻譯家,曾于2013年獲得第七屆“中華圖書特殊貢獻獎”;2016年獲得中國國家主席習近平頒發(fā)的“中國阿拉伯友好杰出貢獻獎”。雖然諸多榮譽加身,但穆赫辛卻有著更勝于常人的勤奮和謙遜。相比漢學家,他更愿意被看作一個希望向埃及乃至阿拉伯民眾介紹中國文化的平凡譯者、一個從事漢語教學的普通老師、一個因充滿熱情而孜孜以求的研究者。
上高中時,穆赫辛在家里發(fā)現(xiàn)了一本書,那是一位美國記者訪問亞洲各地的游記阿譯本,里面詳細介紹了中國的歷史、文化、古跡、風土人情,作者在北京馬路上與百姓的對話,趣味十足。這些對中國的美好印象傳遞給穆赫辛,讓他開始對中國產(chǎn)生興趣,也促使他在考入艾因·夏姆斯大學后,毫不猶豫地選擇了漢語專業(yè)。
1964年就開設(shè)中文系的艾因·夏姆斯大學是埃及最早開設(shè)中文系的高校,隨后因故中斷中文系招生,1977年,穆赫辛幸運地成為中文系重新恢復(fù)招生后的第一批埃及學生。大學期間,穆赫辛在圖書館讀了很多有關(guān)中國的書,包括美國作家賽珍珠的《大地》、中國劇作家曹禺的《日出》等,并跟隨來自北京語言學院(現(xiàn)北京語言大學)的中國老師認真學習。穆赫辛說,自己永遠忘不了中國老師的悉心指導(dǎo)和幫助,尤其是一位叫楊石泉的老師,亦師亦父,對埃及學生關(guān)懷備至,正是受他影響,穆赫辛堅定了投身中埃文化交流的信念。
本科畢業(yè)后,穆赫辛又陸續(xù)獲得碩士、博士學位,并到中國的北京、杭州等城市進修。他還一直留在母校艾因·夏姆斯大學“接棒”漢語教學工作,希望為埃及培養(yǎng)更多的漢語人才。
除了教學,穆赫辛還是埃及最高文化委員會翻譯委員會成員、埃及國家翻譯中心中文專家組成員、開羅中國文化中心阿拉伯翻譯家與漢學家聯(lián)誼會成員,在翻譯工作上投入了大量精力。
熱愛中國歷史文化的他翻譯了“四書”以及《老子》《戰(zhàn)國策》《孫子兵法》《離騷》等眾多中國典籍,還翻譯了莫言的一些作品,為中國文化在埃及乃至阿拉伯世界的傳播作出了重要貢獻。
在翻譯過程中,穆赫辛被中國古人的智慧深深折服。穆赫辛沒有學過古代漢語,他是通過帶注釋的譯本來進行古典作品翻譯的,為此,他往往要看很多個版本的注釋,以便形成完整印象。為了翻譯出古文那種特有的韻味,他還讀了大量阿拉伯早期詩歌,并作出更適合讀者語言風格的調(diào)整。目前,穆赫辛與北京高校教授合作翻譯的《詩經(jīng)》,經(jīng)過雙方的反復(fù)溝通、審校,已經(jīng)出版并得到讀者的廣泛認可。
莫言獲得諾貝爾文學獎后,埃及有關(guān)機構(gòu)與穆赫辛聯(lián)系,希望他盡快翻譯一些莫言的作品。在此之前,穆赫辛對中國現(xiàn)當代文學知之不多,學校圖書館中也難以找到莫言的作品。在中國駐埃及使館文化處和開羅中國文化中心的支持下,他獲得了莫言原著,并很快翻譯出版了莫言的《?!贰秹艟撑c雜種》《幽默與趣味》等作品。
為了讓《牛》盡快與埃及讀者見面,穆赫辛還專門找到埃及文化部下屬的出版社。因為他認為,埃及政府的出版社定價會比較平民化,能夠讓更多埃及人認識和了解莫言?!澳跃哂鞋F(xiàn)代作家的智慧與審美眼光,他的作品把中國古典文學和現(xiàn)代文學的優(yōu)點有機地結(jié)合在一起,極具可讀性?!?/p>
通過翻譯,穆赫辛和莫言產(chǎn)生了情感共鳴,也對中國當代文學產(chǎn)生了濃厚興趣。據(jù)穆赫辛介紹,莫言的書在埃及銷售得非常好。下一步,他打算把自己喜歡的阿來、蘇童、馬原等中國作家介紹給埃及讀者。
穆赫辛對“一帶一路”倡議關(guān)注已久。他認為,絲綢之路對阿拉伯國家而言不僅是商品交易和外交之路,同樣也是知識和文化交流之橋。阿拉伯文化在古代為世界做出過突出貢獻,但如今的地位卻相對弱勢,阿拉伯世界對中國也缺乏足夠認識?!耙粠б宦贰背嗽谡?、經(jīng)濟層面帶來好處,還可作為一個文化活動的共享構(gòu)想,讓阿拉伯世界參與其中,為推動阿中文明交流對話創(chuàng)造新的契機、書寫新的篇章。
也正因如此,穆赫辛致力于推動建立“阿拉伯特色中國學”。據(jù)他介紹,作為研究古代和當代中國文化的一門學科,阿拉伯世界需要形成這樣一個具有學術(shù)特色的研究方法。
“‘傳統(tǒng)漢學的缺陷在于它對當代中國的研究相對薄弱,不少研究評論具有滯后性、局限性和片面性,與快速發(fā)展和急劇變遷的當代中國現(xiàn)實存在一定的距離?!蹦潞招琳f,客觀認識中國政治、經(jīng)濟和社會生活,有助于推動阿中關(guān)系友好發(fā)展,而“一帶一路”倡議恰可為這一學科的建立提供平臺和指導(dǎo)思想。
穆赫辛說,如今有越來越多的阿拉伯人開始對中國感興趣,來中國留學的學生也越來越多。但他發(fā)現(xiàn),很多人只是把漢語當作一種工具,對中國缺乏整體性的概念。應(yīng)該設(shè)法讓更多阿拉伯人尤其是阿拉伯研究生們掌握中國學的意義和認識中國的學術(shù)方法。
Mohsen Fergani, a celebrated Egyptian sinologist and translator, was among the international 25 sinologists, China scholars, and think tank experts visiting Zhejiang to take a closer look at the rural development of the province toward the end of July, 2018.
A lecturer of the Department of Chinese, Ain Shames University, Mohsen Fergani won the 7th Special Book Award of China in 2013. In 2016, he was a recipient of China-Arab Friendship Outstanding Contribution Award personally issued by Chinese President Xi Jinping. The modest and hardworking sinologist prefers considering himself as an ordinary translator who introduces Chinese culture to the Arab readers, a teacher of Chinese language, and a passionate researcher.
Ferganis initial interest in and curiosity about China occurred when he found a book about China at home. It was an Arabic translation of a travelogue about Asia authored by an American journalist. The journalist gave detailed introduction to Chinas history, culture, ancient sites, life and customs. The journalist also reported his random dialogues with pedestrians in the streets of Beijing. The young Fergani was deeply impressed with China. He chose to major Chinese at Ain Shames University after he graduated from high school.
The Department of Chinese at the university was set up in 1964. In 1977 the department resumed enrolling new students and Mohsen Fergani was among the first students matriculated that year. He worked hard to master the language and read a lot of books on China. One of the teachers at the department was Yang Shiquan from Beijing Languages Institute, the predecessor of the present-day Beijing Language and Culture University. Yang was like a father to Fergani.
The young scholar attained masters degree and doctoral degree in Chinese studies. He took advanced courses in Beijing and Hangzhou. Upon graduation, he became a teacher at his alma mater in the hope of cultivating new generations of sinologists.
Fergani is a member of Translation Committee, the Supreme Cultural Commission in Egypt and member of Chinese Expert Group of National Translation Center of Egypt. He loves the culture and history of China, especially the Chinese classical literature and has translated a great quantity of Chinese classical literature such as , and , making important contributions to the dissemination of Chinese culture in Egypt and Arab World.
In translating Chinese classics, Fergani conquered many problems. With little knowledge of ancient Chinese, he translated by reading footnotes and annotations of other translations. In order to avoid making mistakes and understand the classics better, he studied many editions carefully. In order to deliver the special charm of ancient Chinese language, he spent a lot of time reading ancient Arab poems and adjusted his translations accordingly so as to create a style that appeals to modern Arab readers. His latest translation of Chinese classics is , which was compiled and edited by Confucius. The translation was a joint effort between him and professors in Beijing through many rounds of proofreading and communication. The Arabic edition of has been published and received good response from readers.
After Mo Yan became a Nobel laureate in 2012, Mohsen Fergani was approached by the cultural authorities of Egypt to translate Mo Yans works into the Arabic. With the assistance of the cultural department of Chinese Embassy in Egypt, he soon translated Mos books such as . Encouraged by the good sales of Mo Yans books, he plans to introduce his favorite Chinese writers such as Ah Lai, Su Tong and Ma Yuan to Egyptian readers.
Mohsen Fergani has concerned himself with the BRI for a long while. For Arab countries, in his eyes, the Silk Road is more than trade and diplomacy. It is also about exchanges of knowledge and culture. In ancient times, Arab made outstanding contributions to the world, but today it is in a weakened position. Fergani doesnt think the Arab world knows China well. He believes the BRI can bring not only political and economic benefits but also cultural exchanges and cooperation.
He is now pushing for “sinology with Arabian characteristics”. According to the Egyptian sinologist, the traditional sinology is not equipped with rich knowledge of contemporary China. Many comments and analyses offered in the traditional sinology are outmoded, partial and biased. The traditional sinology seems divorced from the contemporary China which is featuring fast growth and bringing about fundamental changes. An objective understanding of Chinas politics, economy and society helps boost China-Arab friendship. The BRI provides a platform and guiding principles for advancing China studies.