首位赴美汉语教师戈鲲化的中国诗词传播实践

Dissemination of Chinese Poetry by KO Kunhua, the First ChineseTeacher Officially Dispatched to the United States

戈鲲化是美国哈佛大学于1879年聘任的首位汉语教师。在美期间,他极力传播中国诗词。其主要方式包括撰写中国诗词译本《华质英文》、创作赠诗给美国友人、公开朗诵中国诗词等。透过历史文化视角,戈鲲化的中国诗词传播实践具有重大意义。他传播了中国古典诗词、更新了中国人形象、促进了中西文化交流、推动了美国汉学发展。同时,也启示着当今中国文化走出去的基本态度是对中国文化的认可和自信、内容方面先行传播中国优秀传统文化,能力要求强调具备跨文化交际意识和水平,还要联络团结好汉学家作为外部助力。

KO Kunhua was the first Chinese teacher employed by Harvard University in 1879.When he was in the United States of America(U.S.A),he made great efforts to disseminate Chinese poetry.His main methods included translating Chinese poetry in Hua zhi ying wen,composing and presenting poems to his American friends,and reciting Chinese poetry for the American public.From a historical and cultural perspective,KO’s practice of disseminating Chinese poetry has great significance.The practice brought classical Chinese poetry to the U.S.A.,updated the image of Chinese people,promoted cultural exchanges between China and the West,and speeded up the development of Sinology in the U.S.A.Meanwhile,this also has its own inspiration that the basic attitude for People’s Republic of China’s current policy of the globalization of Chinese culture should be identification to and confidence in Chinese culture.The priority of dissemination of the best traditional Chinese culture is given to content.Moreover,the competence in cross-cultural communication should be emphasized,and good relationships with Sinologists as external support can be forged as well.