From Confucius’ ‘humaneness’ to UM’s ‘human being’: An interview with Prof Giorgio Sinedino
‘一簞食，一瓢飲，人不堪其憂，回也不改其樂。(With only a handful of rice and a gourd of water, Yan Hui did not allow himself to be affected by such distress, whereas others could not have endured it.)’ Giorgio Sinedino, assistant professor in the Department of Portuguese of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at the University of Macau (UM), shares one of his favourite quotes from The Analects in fluent Mandarin, which describes the sense of fulfilment of Confucius’ favourite disciple Yan Hui. Having lived in China for two decades, Prof Sinedino has a Chinese name, Shen Youyou (沈友友). A Brazilian sinologist imbued with deep curiosity about traditional Chinese culture, he has recently been awarded the 18th Special Book Award of China.
Deeply ingrained in Chinese philosophy
Twenty years ago, Sinedino first arrived in China as a young diplomat from his homeland Brazil, intending to take a two-week short course. Little did he know that he would remain in the country for so many years to come. Through his experiences in this country, he firmly believes that ‘only by living in China can one truly master her language and understand the cultural connotations behind it.’ This curiosity about Chinese culture was one of the reasons that kept him in Beijing after completing the course, first to work and then to pursue degrees in Sinology. Over time, he earned a master’s degree in Chinese philosophy from Peking University and a PhD in the same field from Renmin University of China.
Prof Sinedino displayed exceptional linguistic aptitude from a young age. Even before learning Chinese, he was already capable of using 14 languages and was fluent in English, French, and Spanish. Although he has been immersed in so many languages, he has only one foreign name, ‘沈友友’ (Shen Youyou), a Chinese name given to him by his mentor, Professor Hu Xudong. ‘Youyou’ is a phonetic translation of his Portuguese name ‘Giorgio’. To most people, such a name conveys an impression of friendliness, and that it has indeed helped him to make many friends. ‘In China, having a Chinese name helps one to integrate into the local culture,’ he adds. His interest in language has also led him to read extensively and identify gaps in the dissemination of Chinese culture in Brazil. Consequently, he has devoted himself to translation, which he considers an indispensable means of enabling Portuguese-speaking readers to appreciate and understand the intellectual value of Sinology.
In June, Prof Sinedino received the Special Book Award of China—the highest honour bestowed upon foreign individuals by China’s publishing sector—in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the promotion of Chinese culture worldwide. He also delivered an acceptance speech on behalf of recipients at the award ceremony. ‘This award came as a complete surprise to me,’ he says with a smile, adding that he took the opportunity to thank those who have supported him throughout his journey. He mentioned that another significant achievement of his was the nomination of his book O imortal do sul da China: Uma leitura cultural do Zhuangzi for the Prêmio Jabuti in 2023, the most prestigious literary award in Brazil. ‘The Zhuangzi is little known in Brazil. It was nominated alongside other literary works that are better known and understood by readers in my country. The Zhuangzi, on the other hand, is founded on Chinese philosophical assumptions and is not readily grasped by them. Although I did not receive the prize in the end, the nomination means a great deal to me personally and encourages me to keep striving,’ he adds.
When it comes to promoting Chinese philosophy, Prof Sinedino deems it necessary to strike a balance between academic rigour and general public accessibility. He compares his current employment at UM with his previous work experience in government, and says, ‘I have more time to do scholarly work now. Since joining UM nearly two years ago, I have published more than I did in the previous ten years combined. I would also like to believe that UM is able to provide ample room for development and freedom, enabling me to conduct in-depth research while making Chinese culture accessible to a wider audience. Thus far, it has also led to progress in both my academic writing and translations.’
More than just a translation
In addition to his interest in the history of Daoist ideas, Prof Sinedino is an even keener student of Confucianism. Notably, his book Os Analectos (The Analects) won the First Chinese-Portuguese Literary Translation Award jointly organised by UM and the Macao Foundation in 2018. The 640-page book contains not only a literal translation of the 12,000 Chinese characters in the ancient text, but also extensive explanations and annotations. He explains, ‘The Portuguese-speaking world still lacks a solid foundation for Sinological studies, and consequently Brazilian readers have a limited understanding of Chinese culture. In an attempt to address this, I have sought to present the philosophical underpinnings of the Chinese classics through detailed explanations that go well beyond the main text (translation). I believe this is a more comprehensive approach that will enable Portuguese-speaking countries to develop a deeper appreciation of Chinese culture.’
Prof Sinedino’s hermeneutical work in his translations includes the cultural context, historical background, author profile, and transmission of the text. When asked to appraise his own work, he stresses that, ‘Drawing on ancient Chinese hermeneutics, I explore the connotations of the text in its original linguistic and social context. I hope that this strategy will bear fruit in terms of guiding readers to further insights beyond the text.’ This approach reflects his solid grounding in the subject, and, more importantly, enables readers to engage profoundly with the original text and feel more connected to it.
Thanks to his multilingual background, Prof Sinedino is able to draw on a variety of translation methods and literary traditions from world-renowned authors and works. These include close references to the Western classical tradition, as well as the works of the French writer Michel de Montaigne and the literary heritage of the Iberian Golden Age, not to mention modern novelistic practices. When asked for an example, he replies, ‘When translating the Zhuangzi, I drew inspiration from the writing style of the ancient Roman novel The Golden Ass. I believe that it can highlight the literary charm of the original Chinese text.’ To anyone interested in Chinese culture, Prof Sinedino’s work is more than just a translation, it is a means of facilitating mutual learning between different civilisations.
Facilitating Sino-Portuguese cultural exchange
Prof Sinedino believes that while publishing translated works is important, promoting Chinese culture indeed requires a more diverse approach. He hopes that UM may provide him with a platform to achieve this goal. To date, the university has invested considerable resources in nurturing Chinese-Portuguese bilingual professionals, and has hosted a variety of cultural exchange activities. Prof Sinedino also expresses hope to become one of the key facilitators of these initiatives.
In recent years, he has hosted ‘Ideias Chinesas’, a Portuguese-language radio programme jointly produced by the Chinese-Portuguese Bilingual Teaching and Training Centre at UM and CRIpor of China Radio International. The programme provides a systematic introduction to traditional Chinese philosophy from different viewpoints. The first four seasons, comprising 60 episodes in total, covered Confucius and The Analects, Laozi and Tao Te Ching, Mencius and the Mencius, and Zhuangzi and the Zhuangzi. The fifth season, which focuses on Sun Tzu and The Art of War, has also been released. Broadcast to Portuguese-speaking countries around the world, the programme serves as a gateway for the local audience to the world of Chinese classics, philosophy, and culture.
Furthermore, to promote contemporary Chinese literature, Prof Sinedino has assembled a team of Portuguese-language experts, including several UM doctoral graduates who now teach at universities in the Chinese mainland, to translate into Portuguese China Writers Association’s renowned literary magazine People’s Literature. He is also involved in several joint projects aimed at deepening exchanges and cooperation with renowned universities in Brazil, such as São Paulo State University, the State University of Campinas, and the University of São Paulo. It is hoped that, through exhibitions, talks, seminars, and publications, the Chinese classics will establish a presence in the Portuguese cultural landscape.
A teaching philosophy rooted in ren
Prof Sinedino’s teaching has also been subtly influenced by his work in cultural promotion. He always puts ‘the human being’ at the heart of his teaching and integrates Confucius’ ren (humaneness) into his lectures.
Ren (仁) is the essence of Confucian thought and one of the five elements in UM’s motto, in which it translates as ‘humanity’. ‘Ren is generally translated as “humanidade” in Portuguese. In my view, the essence of ren is empathy. It is about putting oneself in others’ shoes,’ Prof Sinedino explains. He then illustrates his point with his own academic journey. He initially studied law and international relations as an undergraduate and only later switched to Sinology. Acknowledging that he cannot compare himself with scholarly giants who have devoted decades to a single field, he believes that genuine passion and steadfast dedication are all one needs to progress on their chosen path. ‘Similarly, we should respect students’ aspirations,’ he adds. Although he hopes that his students will share his passion for translation and literature, he still encourages them to pursue their own interests and inclinations.
Passion is the greatest driving force for learning, while purpose provides direction. As well as imparting knowledge, Prof Sinedino aims to help his students understand the importance of fostering cultural exchange between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. He notes that the opening of The Analects focuses on learning and highlights that it is not merely the pursuit of knowledge, but an integral part of everyday life. Nevertheless, the purpose and form of learning have evolved over generations. As modern education tends to be more systematised and pragmatic, learning is about more than just pursuing knowledge. This is why Prof Sinedino strives to help his students understand the practical value of their studies. Only by understanding the purpose of learning can one maintain passion and establish a foothold in society.
As if guided by destiny, Prof Sinedino was influenced by Confucianism and embarked on a journey to study Chinese culture, making the promotion of Chinese culture his personal vocation. Eventually, he made his way to UM. Now a faculty member at the university, Prof Sinedino arrives at his office on time every day, dedicating himself to translation and cultural work. He hopes to share his experiences and help UM students find their direction and achieve what their goals.
The significance of Confucianism in the age of technology
In Prof Sinedino’s view, Confucianism is unique. Whenever he meditates on the Four Books and Five Classics, he discovers that grasping the underlying meaning of the texts brings about positive change to oneself. He believes that Confucianism still has a role to play in the age of artificial intelligence and is worth promoting, and its significance is growing. ‘Take the Book of Songs, for example. Although its poetic style may differ from contemporary aesthetic standards, the text represents simple and perennial realities. Its reverence for tradition and sense of civilisational inheritance are worthy of appreciation, providing a clear counterpoint to modern civilisation. This is something I hope the public will be willing to understand and learn about,’ he says.
Technological advancement is of the utmost importance to humanity. But how do people define their own value in a modern society where resources are abundant and everything seems highly accessible? ‘In the age of artificial intelligence, people can quickly find summaries of books in the form of bullet-point introductions or even one-minute videos online. However, reading still matters and this practice cannot be simplified,’ says Prof Sinedino. He emphasises that Confucianism, like other traditional ways of thinking, can nourish the soul and broaden the mind. ‘In order to achieve personal growth and transformation, we need to spend time reading, thinking, and absorbing the wisdom of the ancients.’
Prof Sinedino then mentions the story of Confucius’ disciple Yan Hui: ‘There is a quote in The Analects that embodies the scholarly spirit advocated by Confucianism—“With only a handful of rice and a gourd of water, Yan Hui did not allow himself to be affected by such distress, whereas others could not have endured it.” Although achieving such a mindset is difficult in today’s materialistic world, we can at least learn to disregard the critical gaze of others and find meaning in our own existence.’ Prof Sinedino’s interest in Chinese culture has been a driving force in his career. He believes that ‘even though everybody’s path ahead is difficult, Yan Hui’s story embodies a spirit of self-transcendence. It can encourage more people to embrace the wisdom of Confucianism and discover the value of the Chinese classics.’
