Lothar Spree passed away in Berlin

Another good man of the Sino-German connection, Lothar Spree, the late Shanghai media professor and educator at Tongji University in Shanghai, has passed away in Berlin on Dec 6, 2013. He was 71 years young. [Read obituary at Hochschule für Gestaltung (HfG) Offenbach]

Islam should contribute to our global civilization

Islam should contribute to our global civilization and come to the table where the future rules of the games are formulated.
This rough version of a transcript from a shaky interview on Building-Bridges-TV (Istanbul) came to light recently at Diplomacy Post. The website looks great, lots of prominent analysts, philosophers, political analysts etc. The team around Burcu Cekmece, the Executive Producer at the Building Bridges Initiative, is very dedicated and persistent. Hope that I can join and write a column about recent events in China and how the relate to Turkey and the Middle East. China has officially 20 million Muslims, although unofficial numbers say more than 40 million. I also hope to be able to write something about the Turkish-German relations and the European Union. So much to do, so little time...

Pattberg: Translations reduce the world to what we already know

Thorsten Pattberg, Peking University, 2013

This article appeared in Trouw, a Dutch newspaper, on Aug 17, 2013

Excerpt from Hans van der Gaarden's Blog post 'Ver-Taal'

"Translations reduce the world to what we already know" reads a provocative quote in a recent opinion article entitled ‘Learning about China using the correct words’ published by Trouw newspaper on August 17. The quote originates from the German linguist Thorsten Pattberg who works at Peking University. His plea to let some Chinese words untranslated is defended by the Hong Kong-based communications specialist Adrienne Simons. –Hans van der Gaarden

Excerpt from ‘Met woorden leer je China pas écht kennen’, Aug 17, 2013, by Adrienne Simons:

“China is unloved and unknown. This is primarily a communication and language problem. What the West sees in China, it often sees through English language glasses. That obscures the view more than we think.”

“Talking past each other results in a relationship based on misunderstanding, mistrust and removal. It’s no different between countries. But China has become too big and too influential to be kept at a distance.”

“This means that Asian academics, artists and journalists cultural should introduce Chinese concepts using the original terms, instead of thinking about how Americans would call those things. It also means that Western opinion makers should do likewise and make an effort to understand China in the future, and what better way is there than learning Chinese words.”

The original op-ed is written in Dutch. It can be READ HERE.

Somewhat Eccentric German Philologist Calls For New “Global Language” --Empower Lingua

For A More Colorful Global Language - The Color Run Beijing 2013

By EmpowerLingua

BEIJING - “A somewhat eccentric German philologist and research fellow at The Institute for Advanced Humanistic Studies at Peking University named Thorsten Pattberg, is calling for the construction of a new “global language”. This somewhat absurd declaration is mired in the rhetoric of cosmopolitan utopianism but is also enforced by an intriguing argument about Chinese translation.

Pattberg wrote an article for Chinese website English people daily in which he argued that much Chinese translation relies on the assumption that a suitable equivalent exists in the English language. The English language already has loads of loan words including jungle which comes from Hindi and alcohol which comes from Arabic, so he argues, why don’t we just incorporate the non-translatable Chinese words into English and make a “global language”. [READ AT EMPOWER LINGUA] [READ AT PEOPLE’S DAILY] [READ AT STRAITS TIMES] [GO TO EAST-WEST DICHOTOMY]

Irritating China - US should work with China, Not contain it

Dr. Thorsten Pattberg RT TV exclusive interview (extract)

BEIJING/MOSCOW - Discussing geopolitics, military build-up and US containment strategy against China:

Recent contra-China developments in Japan, Philippines, Vietnam, Russia, India, etc. (Aug 16, 2013) [Video extract]

Shanghai Daily - The Chinese dream (by Emily Yao)

Thanks for quoting goes to Emily Yao from Shanghai Daily: "It's not about a definition, but more about universality," Thorsten Pattberg, a doctor of letters and research fellow at Peking University, said of Xi's concept. "You, I and everyone have dreams. The question becomes: Can you fulfill your dreams in China and not elsewhere?" (July 30, 2013)

Thorsten Pattberg and Riccardo Pozzo – Comparing China and the West

In Beijing with Riccardo Pozzo, philosopher, activist, and Director of the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Cultural Heritage of Centro Nationale de Ricerca in Rome, Italy, recently toured Beijing and promoted ‘The World Digital Library (WDL)’ project and ‘The European Cultural Heritage Online (ECHO)’ initiative. (June 14, 2013)

If you example Pattberg’s works, Pattberg will notice. (Slavoj Zizek, 16 May 2013)

No other than Slavoj Zizek, the "Elvis of Philosophy," whom I quoted in language imperialism, must have found my work. Respective articles on "Chinese philosophy" (a European misleading translation/invention) and the sovereignty over the definition of thought had been published in Japan, Korea, Singapore, China, the US, and Germany; circulated over 2 million times in print, but also online in the radical leftist Asia Times. Some articles: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

0:39:27

"For example, when we talk about “Chinese philosophy” it is clear that we are doing an eurocentricist operation, because “philosophy” as we know it emerged in Europe; and if we apply the same notion to Chinese thought, the Chinese thought is automatically in a disadvantage." --Slavoj Zizek [GO TO EXACT POSITION] [WATCH FULL CLIP]

Thorsten Pattberg with Gary Locke, Ambassador of the United States to China

Not the average party that is attended by the distinguished Ambassador of the United States to China, Gary Locke, and his very beautiful wife Mona Locke. The diplomatic relationship between Germany and the United States in China are thankfully as good as ever. We are living in exciting times. [BACK TO MAIN]

Talking Jiangnan-Style: Thorsten Pattberg, Mariatu Kargbo, Nick Angiers (CNTV, China)

BEIJING - We had a great time on Liu Fangfei's show 'Journey of Civilization (文明之旅)' broadcast on CCTV-4. Guest of honor was Zhang Yongyi, historian of the Jiangnan region around the Yangtze River. In the picture: Thorsten Pattberg (裴德思), scholar at Peking University; Miss worldwinner, singer and artist Mariatu Kargbo (玛丽亚), and the very talented Nick Angiers (安仁良), program host and 'xiangsheng' performer. [This episode will be broadcasted on Monday 27, 2013, at 22:00.] [WATCH THIS EPISODE]. [BACK TO MAIN].

Michael Witzel with Thorsten Pattberg, Tokyo 2013

Professor Michael Witzel invited me to Harvard University back in 2010 so that I could use collections and library resources of the earliest European missionaries in China dating back to 1649. Although there was little funding for such an original project, it nevertheless proved to be very successful, cumulating into my works on translation history and, ultimately, the re-emergence of the shengren. See China Daily, Japan Times. The list goes on. [photo: Tokyo, May 24, 2013].

T. Pattberg meets President of The Toho Gakkai

The Toho Gakkai (The Institute of Eastern Culture), founded in 1947, is a NGO that promotes Asian studies in Japan. It's current President is KOZEN Hiroshi. [May 24, 2013].

The Institute promotes cooperation among scholars of different nations. It currently has 1,464 members (March 2013). [BACK TO MAIN].

Kaiser Kuo Says We Need Build Bridges

BEIJING - Great time to talk to one of Beijing's iconic culture-makers: Kaiser Kuo, rock musician, writer, program host, and director at Baidu, the Chinese search engine. Click here for his latest radio show Sinica. [In Bridge Cafe, Wudaokou, Beijing, 27 April 2013]

Kaiser shares his views on Confucianism, family values, Westernization, expat community, poetry, Beijing Style, Chinese terminologies, business ethics. The list goes on. Proceedings of this rare interview sure to follow.

Meanwhile, more on Kaiser Kuo (Guo Yiguang 郭怡广) in this previous interview with Josh Feola/SmartBeijing: [Culture Bureau]: Kaiser Kuo.

How Corruption in China Works

(c) The Japan Times, Saturday, April 6, 2013

TOKYO - Some people say that 'corruption' is in China what 'freedom' is in the West: the single most important principle that kits their respective societies together. The Chinese call the crucial art of interpersonal relations 'guanxi,' the 'do me a favor and I do one for you.' In a recent article to The Japan Times, your author argues that indeed EVERYONE in China has to be corrupt (from a Western standard point of view), simple because the typical Chinese public employee doesn't earn enough to get by their official "salaries" alone (average $500-$800). The new government around Xi Jinping and Li Keqiang now want to "curb corruption" and "clean the government," and they think one way to do it is to "double the average income." It's never too late.

Thorsten Pattberg with multimillionaire Karl Schlecht

Thorsten Pattberg with multimillionaire Karl Schlecht, industrial genius and founding father of the recently established World Ethics Institute Beijing (WEIB) that will help China to leap to the forefront of global business ethics.

Pattberg on CCTV-4: Journey of Civilization

On CCTV-4 Journey of Civilization: 'Beijing in the last 100 years' [文明之旅]3月18日《北京百年变迁：七三二》 with Liu Fangfei (刘芳菲), Zhao Heng (赵珩), David Moser (莫大伟), and Thorsten Pattberg (裴德思):

T. Pattberg 裴德思 文明之旅 2013 03 18

D. Moser and T. Pattberg 莫大伟 裴德思 文明之旅 2013 03 18

New Generation of Japan Leaders: YAKURA Katsuo

TOKYO - Thorsten Pattberg and YAKURA Katsuo: Alumni of Fudan University, Shanghai.

BEIJING/TOKYO – Japan's recent WTO row over China's 'rare earth', of which China controls 95% of global output, and the Senkaku Islands dispute that dangerously disrupts Sino-Japanese relations, a new generation of young Japanese leaders is determined to find legal solutions. YAKURA Katsuo, a Youth Commitee memberof New Komeito, studied at Tokyo University, holds a Law degree from the University of California (UCLA), studied at the prestigious FudanUniversity in Shanghai, and already spent some time in the Chinese capital Beijing. Now YAKURA is determined go join Japan's National Diet, the Kokkai, to make a difference for the future of his country. Good luck and Ganbatte がんばって!

Beijing Conference 2013: Comparing China and the West

CALL FOR PAPERS

COMPARING CHINA AND THE WEST:

Bringing the Disciplines Together

The International Association for Comparative Study of China and the West (IACSCW) invites proposals for presentations at its conferenceto be held in Beijingat Peking University from 12 to14 July 2013.

Its primary purpose is to bring together from all over the world individuals and organizations with an ongoing interest in comparing Chinaand the West.

Our title opens broadly to include cultural comparisons involving one or many disciplines. In particular, we want to bring together researchers with practitioners in the interest of developing new approaches to comparative studies in teaching, theory, analysis, and cultural production. Proposals for presentations are welcome from researchers in any area involving China and the West, whether academic, governmental, or corporate.

The plenary speakers will be internationally prominent scholars working on comparative issues in philosophy, translation, history, literature and other modes of cultural production. They include Professors Tang Yijie (PKU), Tu Weiming(Harvard/PKU), Jean Bessiere (Paris III), Roger T. Ames (Hawaii), Henry Rosemont, Jr. (Brown), and Daniel A. Bell (Tsinghua & Jiaotong).

Suggested range of topics:

Comparative Culturology

Problems of Translation (in either direction) and Culture Studies

Cultural Production: today, yesterday and tomorrow

Theoretical issues on comparing cultures and/or civilizations.

Disciplinary debates, humanities and social sciences: Chinaand the West

Comparative Literary Relations

Comparative studies of arts / dramas / films

Comparative studies of politics and laws

Overseas Sinology

Comparative studies courses: pedagogical practice and theory

Bi-national concerns: China and particular Western nations

Contemporary issues: economics versus ecology

Testing models for cross-cultural comparisons

Cultural domains that resist comparison

Funding cultural experimentation and exchange

The languages of the Association are English and Chinese. It is expected that English will be used for most conference presentations, with simultaneous interpretation provided for plenary addresses. Some panels, by prior arrangement, may take place in Chinese.

Proposals are welcome from individuals (300 words maximum) or panels involving at least three presenters (around 700 words, identifying the proposed Chairperson). Proposals must include an English version but may also include Chinese. Proposals should be submitted by using the application form from the conference website under

www.chinaandthewest.org

The relevant form can be found under Conference > Application. After filling out this two-page form using the free Adobe Reader, please email it to the organizers using the envelope icon or print and then scan to a digital copy to submit by emailto conf2013@chinaandthewest.org

The provisional deadline for submissions has been extended to 30 January 2013.Proposals received after that date cannot be assured of equal treatment. Participants whose proposals are accepted will be expected to join the Association as full members as part of conference registration. For more detailed conference information, see our website as listed above.

The organizers intend to issue their response by late February 2013. Those who are invited to present will be notified in timely fashion of recommended hotel accommodations so that they may make their own bookings and travel arrangements.

The conference expects to charge a registration fee to cover meals and activities. In order to keep the amount modest, the Association is seeking subsidies. Hence the figure cannot be announced until closer to the conference dates.

Excellent papers presented at the conference will be selected for submission to some European Journals which are indexed by Scopus, SCI or EI. Also the Association will invite conference papers to be submitted for consideration for its own journal: COMPARATIVE STUDIES OF CHINA AND THE WEST, whose first issue is to be distributed at the conference.