Mongolian sinologist devoted to translating Chinese classic works

ULAN BATOR -- The Mongolian Cyrillic edition of "The Book of Mencius," translated by professor Menerel Chimedtseye at the National University of Mongolia, was released here Saturday.

"It has been my dream for many years to complete the translation of 'The Four Books of Confucianism,' and now it has come true," said Chimedtseye, who is also professor of the Mongolian Studies Research Center at Peking University.

"The Four Books of Confucianism," including "The Analects of Confucius," "The Book of Mencius," "The Great Learning" as well as "The Doctrine of the Mean," are Chinese classic works illustrating the core value and belief systems in Confucianism.

Chimedtseye began to translate "The Analects of Confucius" in 2000. Over the past two decades, he has finished the translation of "The Four Books of Confucianism," "Sun Tzu's Art of War" and many others.

"I have a great sense of achievement in enabling my compatriots to perceive China and understand the Chinese people through these translation works," he said. "Meanwhile, I have a deeper understanding of the Chinese culture in my continuous research, and I enjoy it a lot."

More than 40 years ago, Chimedtseye learned the Chinese language during his study at the National University of Mongolia.

He thought that the mysteries of the Chinese culture were worth exploring, which has sowed the seeds for his later research on Sinology.

Chimedtseye worked in news media, the Mongolia-China Friendship Association and other institutions after his graduation in 1979.

With sound and steady development of China-Mongolia relations, especially since the 1990s, his visits to China have increased, and he started to read more traditional Chinese cultural classics such as "The Analects of Confucius" at that time.

"Many of my compatriots knew Confucius, but they didn't learn clearly about what Confucius said or how his thoughts (have) influenced the future generations," said Chimedtseye. "I was eager to translate 'The Analects of Confucius' to Mongolia."

To ensure the quality of his translation work, Chimedtseye has read and studied dozens of books related to Confucius; the translation and publication of "The Analects of Confucius" cost him four years.

Chimedtseye also wrote a book on analyzing the character of the Chinese people as well as introducing the Chinese food and tea cultures.

Besides his translation career, Chimedtseye has assisted in Chinese language teaching and local teacher training since he worked for the Confucius Institute at the National University of Mongolia in 2007.

He made contributions to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Mongolia and was awarded the "China-Mongolia Friendship Contribution Award" in July this year by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.

With the Chinese language becoming more and more popular in Mongolia, the Confucius Institute at the National University of Mongolia has trained more than 5,000 students since its foundation.

"Now, a large number of young people in Mongolia are learning Chinese, reading Chinese masterpieces and eliminating misunderstandings about China," he added.