Mr. Phan Dang just passed away…

Teacher Phan Dang (left) and student Trung Viet. Photo by the author.

The last time I talked to Mr. Phan Dang was around early September 2023.

I was stuck on a Chinese character in an ancient poem and found the translation unsatisfactory, so I called the teacher. He smiled, still in a very "u mua" tone, calmly: "He means ri, what else, what are you doing?". I asked him what he was doing, he said: "I am re-translating Hai Ngoai Ky Su by Thich Dai San". "Hue University translated it before 1975, didn't it?". "Yes, but I'm not satisfied. There are many interesting issues related to national sovereignty in the East Sea, it needs to be clearly explained again, honey...".

At the end of 2022, I went to Hue to ask him a few questions for an interview in the Spring Quy Mao newspaper in Quang Nam newspaper, when the book "Hoang Viet Nhat Thong Du Dia Chi" in the social science book category was the only work awarded the A National Book Prize 2022. (The work "Hoang Viet Nhat Thong Du Dia Chi" by author Le Quang Dinh, translated and annotated by researcher Phan Dang, published by The Gioi Publishing House and Thai Ha Book Joint Stock Company).

This massive book was evaluated by researchers, many major issues of the country such as roads, laws, measurement system, currency, customs and rituals, dress... were clearly expressed, showing the strong desire for national unification. He nodded in agreement immediately, but said: "You send your questions, I have a lot of work, take the time to review and answer you, because I have to quote from the book something related to Quang Nam".

I asked him what was the most difficult thing about translating this book. He said that it used both Chinese and Nom characters, and different place names, people's names, and regional products. Sometimes the same type of product is called differently in different places, requiring a large cultural background to do well.

Mr. Phan Dang - photo taken in 2022. photo by TRUNG VIET

His ancient cultural background and his ability in Chinese and Nom scripts were beyond discussion. He taught medieval literature, but occasionally he would write a few words on the board. If Nguyen Dinh Thang's writing was like a seal, Phan Dang's writing was like a graceful flight, completely different from his usual calm and serious nature. But perhaps what impressed generations of literature faculty at Hue University was his subtlety and witty remarks during lectures.

I still remember him teaching Truyen Kieu, praising Nguyen Du's talent for discovering subtleties. Suddenly, he asked: "I ask you, in your hometown, what do people often say when eating?". The whole class was silent. He said: "In my hometown, Quang Tri, when eating, people only say one sentence: "You pick up quickly so I can pick up". You guys who study literature must practice observation, life is very interesting, everyday details are gold when you write, and then behave. I took the train from Hue to Saigon, paying attention all the time, I didn't see anyone as ugly as Thi No, then I realized how talented Nam Cao was."

Another time, I don't know what he was upset about, but while talking about his roots and hometown, he said in a low voice: "Many people open their mouths and curse country people. Everyone has a hometown."

The generation in the dormitory at 27 Nguyen Hue at that time was so hungry that they had to “fix TVs”. In Hue, on the 15th and 1st of the lunar month, people made full and respectful offerings, and there was no shortage of offerings on other occasions. The students were “on the lookout”, people would display sticky rice, bananas, and chickens, and as soon as they turned their backs, they would fly in and grab them and run away. One day, he went to the lecture hall and said in a serious voice: “The ones who fix TVs are the ones in our department, who else would come here! Last night, I just brought out a bunch of bananas to offer, and as soon as I turned them in, they were gone. I know you guys are hungry, but doing that is not right, it’s very offensive.”

Talking about him, every class, every person, has memories. That day I sat with him, talking about university, he shook his head, saying that teaching now is not as fun as when you guys were studying. It's hard so everyone tries to study, tries to read, the teachers are motivated, and the teacher-student relationship is warm. What can I do now, my dear!

Mr. Phan Dang (front row, 4th from right), head teacher of Literature Class K10, leads first-year students on a field trip to visit the relics of the ancient capital of Hue in 1986. (Photo courtesy of Phan Quang Muoi)

Suddenly he asked: "Do you still drink a lot of alcohol?". I nodded. He smiled: "Since I retired, I still work like when I was teaching. Keep working, don't let your brain freeze or fail." At that time, I asked him what he was doing, and he said he was teaching at the Buddhist Academy. "Hey, I'm re-translating Buddhist scriptures from the Ly-Tran period, there are many extremely interesting things that have not been published yet."

Knowing that my son was studying Southeast Asian culture and might be sent back to Vietnam by the school to learn more, he immediately said: "Tell him, if you want to do Buddhist literature and culture, come see me, I will show you."

I am deeply moved.

Phan Quang Muoi, a Literature class K10 student, said that he had a memory of gratitude to his teacher. When he graduated, the teacher said, in many courses, he had never seen anyone with a difficult situation like his. Given his situation, it would not be easy to find a job. He had nothing to help, so he would discuss with the faculty and school to keep him, arrange a job for him, such as academic affairs. Even though he did not stay, he would always remember his teacher's love.

Now he has gone far away. Perhaps on his desk, there are unfinished translation projects. Sometimes I remember him smiling with a tilt of his head, saying something very nice and witty, but hidden in that is not a little arrogant character of a person who understands many things in life.

I bow to say goodbye to you, teacher!

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/thay-phan-dang-vua-di-xa-3143594.html