Peking University, Nov. 19, 2018: On the morning of November 19th, Translators Association of China (TAC) Conference 2018, focusing on innovation and development in language services in commemoration of 40 years of reform and opening up, is held in Beijing. Professor Zhong Jikun from Department of Arabic, School of Foreign Languages, Peking University, receives Chinese Translation Culture Lifetime Achievement Award, which is the highest honor for Chinese translators.
TAC Conference 2018
As a senior translator, Zhong Jikun makes great contribution to the spread of Arab culture in China and fully deserves this honor. His books, including History of Modern Arabic Literature, General History of Arabic Literature and History of Ancient Arabic Literature, filled the gap in the field of Arabic literary history. He also translated a large number of famous works about Arab culture, such as A Tear and a Smile, The Arabian Nights, Selections of Ancient Arabic Poetry, etc. His outstanding works have also been recognized by Arab world, as he received the 5th Cultural Person of the Year of Sheikh Zayed Book Award in 2011.
The Arabian Nightstranslated by Zhong Jikun
“The history of the development of human culture is actually a history of translation. Whether in ancient or modern times, in China or foreign countries, we cannot disobey the law of cultural development, which is learning from other cultures on the basis of inheritance followed by innovation. But how can we learn from others? By translation.” said Zhong. On the concept of translating, he believes that the translator should, like an actor, be faithful to the original text, so that the readers could have the same understanding as the readers who read the original version.
Professor Zhong Jikun
Arabic literature is a treasure of world literature. Zhong expressed his wishes that young people could take advantage of all the resources in Peking University and make greater contribution to Arabic translation.
Written by: Yan Congcong
Edited by: Ma Yaoli, Hu Rong
Source: PKU News (Chinese)
