Translation acts as a bridge between Chinese and Egyptian people

Translation can be a bridge linking the peoples of China and Egypt, said Wu Ping, dean of School of English Studies at Beijing Language and Culture University.

Wu was in the Egyptian capital Cairo for seminars hosted by the Chinese Cultural Center to discuss the translation of Chinese novels with Beijing cultural characteristics.

“I think when we talk about the translation or communication between different cultures, we should make it clearer that translation is the essential, but not the only element,” Wu said.

“When we talk about the communication between different cultures, we are talking about different ways involved in communication, including verbal and non-verbal translation,” he added.

In order to make communication smooth enough, Wu said “we should know how to translate on the verbal level and how to achieve a better result by paying equal attention to nonverbal communication.”

He further said that the quality of translation can be improved through attracting more readers, and it is important to popularize Chinese culture in Egypt and China.

On one hand, efforts are needed to let more Egyptians better understand Chinese culture, while on the other hand, Chinese should know more about Arabic culture.

The dean pointed out that translation would become more popular if more people become interested in the cultures of each side.

“When we try to push forward the quality of translation, we should not forget who will enjoy them, and who will take them as a daily entertainment.”

Wu revealed that the Egyptian translators are working better, particularly in recent decades.

“Nowadays, because of globalization, the two sides can communicate more smoothly and better understand each other,” he said. “It is quite important for the people, particularly the youths of both countries, to become more interested in each other’s culture.”

The professor said the Confucius Institute and the Cultural Center in Egypt have done a lot of work to push forward the communication and cooperation between the two sides not only in cultural aspects, but also in educational, economic and many other fields.

The Chinese scholar added that both institutions create a lot of opportunities to introduce Chinese people of different levels to visit Egypt.

Since the relations between China and Egypt were upgraded to comprehensive strategic partnership in 2014, the cultural exchange has hit its peak, with artists, cultural and musical delegations paying frequent mutual visits.

Through such cultural activities, both countries hope to boost friendly ties under China’s Belt and Road Initiative to promote deeper understanding of each other.

Earlier this month, China’s Xinhua Winshare Publishing and Media Company and Egypt’s Dar Al-Shorouk Publishing House Group signed a protocol and a cooperation contract in the field of publishing and translation at the headquarters of the Chinese Cultural Center in Cairo.

Officials in both sides said the signing of the protocol is a very necessary step to boost the cultural relations between Egypt and China.

The author is a writer with the Xinhua News Agency. opinion@ globaltimes.com.cn