A Lecture of Mistakes of Foreign Language Research in China Given by Professor Li Jianbo
 
time: 2016-11-14


  Professor Li Jianbo of PLA-International Relationship College gave a lecture on Mistakes of Foreign Language Research in China in the School of Foreign Languages of South China University of Technology (SCUT) on October 27th. The special lecture was hosted by Professor Liu Jianbo, Dean Zhong Shuneng and Professor Li Yingyuan with many students participating.


Professor Li Jianbo giving his lecture


  At the beginning, Professor Li reviewed recent academic events in which he participated. Later on, he pointed out the mistakes of foreign language research in China. First, is confusion between foreign language and mother language. He took English Language and Literature, one of ten most popular majors in the U.S., as an example. He said [that]we cannot equal English Language and Literature in the U.S. to that in China because English is mother language for American, not foreign language. Second, is those who learn English must do research on English. He stressed this idea is wrong. On the contrary, students, should turn from studying English to study by English while teachers should change from researching on English to research by English. Third, is English teachers in China should not do translation. He believes that translation works should be considered as academic achievements the same as translation of a research paper. Finally, the main task in the first twenty years of reform and opening up [of China] is to introduce foreign works to Chinese people then later is to translate and introduce Chinese works to foreigners. He believes that the introduction in the first twenty years has not enough and the position of Chinese language should be strengthened by translating foreign works to Chinese.  

Professor. Liu Jianbo, addressing the participants


Professors and students attentively listening


  Later on, Professor Li compared English to a sea, languages of other countries, branches, gathering in the sea of language. Therefore, Chinese must be translated to improve its information load and enhance its position.


  At the end of the lecture, both students and teachers from our school discussed Professor Lis interesting opinions and raised some questions according to their own knowledge, to which were responded by Lis attentive and informative answers.