語言是橋梁。第13任中國駐巴大使張春賢能夠說一口流利的烏爾都語。我知道我的很多同事對學習烏爾都語懷有濃厚的興趣。我還知道,很多巴基斯坦朋友會說漢語,其中就有巴國立現代語言大學和伊斯蘭堡孔子學院的校友。我們為他們驕傲。今天,我還想特別提及伊斯蘭堡孔子學院的學生。去年溫總理來巴,我們在巴中友誼中心舉辦了這樣一場活動,就是兩國總理與為中巴友誼做出突出貢獻人士座談。座談會臨近結束的時候,伊斯蘭堡孔子學院學員朱雷和14歲女孩拉比亞分別用中文和英文深情并茂地朗誦了一首題為“巴中友誼”的詩。在場觀眾深受感染,有人不禁落淚。這就是語言直通心靈的力量。
Language is a bridge. My predecessor Mr. Zhang Chunxiang, the 13th Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, is a fluent Urdu speaker. I know many of my colleagues have keen interests in picking up Urdu language. And I also know many Pakistanis can speak Chinese, some of them were students of NUML or ICI. They have made great contributions to China-Pakistan ties. We are proud of them. And today I would like to specially mention the students of ICI. Last December when the Chinese Premier visited Pakistan, there was a "free talk" at the Pakistan-China Friendship Center attended by people working for our friendship. Toward the end, Junaid Bashir, a boy from ICI, and Rabya, a 14-year-old girl, recited a poem titled "Pakistan-China Friendship" in Chinese and English respectively. The audience were greatly impressed and many of them moved to tears. This is the power of language.
語言是窗戶。它不僅僅是一套符號系統,更是傳達文化內涵的重要載體。有人曾說,“語言是思想的服裝”,“文字是思想的符號”。學習漢語,就像為中華文化開了一扇窗。透過它,你可以看到中國人的生活方式、行為準則、價值觀念、國家心理和民族性格,可以探尋過去幾十年來中國經濟社會取得巨大成就的背后動因。
Language is a window. It is not just a system of symbols, but is also the most important carrier of cultural messages. Some poet once said, "Language is the dress of thought", "words are but signs of ideas". Learning Chinese is like opening a widow to Chinese culture. You can gain much insight into Chinese people's way of life, behavior, values, national psychology and character, as well as factors leading to China's economic and social transformation in the past few decades.
語言是樂趣。寓教于樂也許正是“漢語橋”取得成功的重要原因。作為一名外交官,我不僅在你們的國家工作,還在你們的國家生活。生活需要有樂趣。兩周前,我從當地英文報紙上得知,著名烏爾都語作家、詩人阿卜杜爾·哈米德先生因病辭世。巴國立語言研究機構主席稱,“哈米德先生的去世意味著巴浪漫詩歌黃金時代的終結”。包括我在內的很多中國人都是詩歌愛好者。然而,由于我不懂烏爾都語,雖身在巴基斯坦,卻難以欣賞文學巨匠的作品,“寶山空回”實為憾事。我常常在想,如果我懂烏爾都語,在這兒的常駐生活會更加有趣和充實。
Language is a fun. Making learning fun is a sure recipe for success, and that explains why the "Chinese bridge" a success. As a diplomat, I not only work in your country, I'm actually living here. Life needs to be of fun. Two weeks ago, I learned from local English newspapers that Mr. Abdul Hamid, a prolific Urdu writer, passed away. Pakistan National Language Authority Chairman Mr. Iftikhar Arif called his death "the end of a golden period of romantic poetry." The Chinese people, including me, love poetry. However, I barely get the pleasure of reading his poetry. What a pity! It often occurs to me that my life here would have been much more interesting and fulfilling if only I understood your language.
最后,我真誠的希望越來越多的巴基斯坦朋友發現學習中文不僅有趣而且有益。中國使館將一如既往的提供力所能及的支持。
I sincerely hope that an increasing number of Pakistan friends find learning Chinese interesting and beneficial. The Chinese embassy will continue to provide the best possible support.
謝謝大家!
Thank you!