Recently, the famous German sinologist Prof. Wolfgang Kubin from Department of Chinese of Bonn University was invited to give a wonderful lecture on Boda forum with the title of “Translation and Hermeneutics, a New Standpoint of Translation”.

Kubin clarified his own academic points of view from the current situation of Chinese translation circle. He believed that in addition to language proficiency, a qualified translator should also know how to communicate with the original author and conduct the necessary cultural study. At the same time, Kubin also pointed out that many young translators lack a spirit to master foreign language and devote themselves into cultural history, as those master translators like Hu Shi, Zhang Ailing and Lin Yutang did. He proposed that we should concentrate on the culture and history of the target country in translation, so as to understand the cultural difference in the translation process.

Kubin expressed his views on foreign language learning. In his view, in addition to a solid understanding of foreign language, translators also need to improve their reading ability, in order to excavate the deep ideological meaning of the original text, and accurately grasp its stylistic features, thoughts and feelings. Furthermore, when talking about the prejudice and embarrassment suffered by contemporary translators, Kubin also has his own unique insights. He took the prosperous Chinese and American translation market as an example to further emphasis the point that "knowledge is translation, translation is knowledge”. He believed that translators applies knowledge into reality and promote the social modernization, so readers should treat their translator with respect and understanding.

Kubin delivered his thoughts smoothly in Chinese in the one hour and a half lecture, and conducted a warm interaction with teachers and students present.