Teacher Phan Đăng has just passed away…

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

My last conversation with Professor Phan Dang was around the beginning of September 2023.

I was stuck on a Chinese character in an ancient poem, and when I looked it up in books, the translations weren't satisfactory, so I called my professor. He laughed, still with his usual… calm, gentle voice: “It means ‘this,’ what else could it be? And what are you doing?” I asked what he was doing, and he said: “I’m re-translating Thich Dai San’s Overseas Chronicle .” “But Hue University before 1975 already translated it, Professor?” “Yes, but I’m not satisfied yet. There are many interesting issues related to national sovereignty in the South China Sea that need to be explained clearly…”

At the end of 2022, I went to Hue to meet him and ask him a few questions for an interview in the Spring issue of the Quang Nam newspaper, when his book "Hoang Viet Nhat Thong Du Dia Chi" (The Unified Geographical Gazetteer of Vietnam), in the social science category, was the only work awarded the A Prize at the 2022 National Book Awards. (The book "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 collection of books is highly regarded by researchers for its clear presentation of many major national issues such as roads, laws, measurement systems, currency, customs, rituals, and clothing, demonstrating a strong desire for national reunification. He nodded in agreement immediately, but cautioned: "Send me your questions, I'm very busy, I'll try to review them and answer you as soon as possible, because I need to extract anything relevant to Quang Nam from the book."

I asked my teacher what the most difficult part of translating this book was. He said that it involved both Chinese and Vietnamese characters, as well as place names, personal names, and regional products—sometimes the same type of product had different names in different places—requiring a large cultural knowledge base and a high level of skill.

Teacher Phan Dang - photo taken in 2022. Photo by Trung Viet.

His knowledge of classical literature, coupled with his proficiency in both Chinese and Vietnamese characters, was undeniable. He taught medieval literature, but occasionally wrote a few words on the blackboard. While Professor Nguyen Dinh Thang's handwriting resembled a seal, Professor Phan Dang's was like a graceful flight of characters, a stark contrast to his usual calm and serious demeanor. However, perhaps what impressed generations of literature students at Hue University the most was his subtle wit and humor, which he occasionally interjected into his lectures.

I vividly remember him teaching the Tale of Kieu, praising the talent for discovering subtle details from Nguyen Du's work. Unexpectedly, he asked, "I ask you all, in your hometowns, what do people usually say when they eat?" The whole class fell silent. He said, "In my hometown of Quang Tri, when eating, we only say one thing: 'You pick up your food quickly so I can pick mine up.' You students of literature must cultivate observation skills. Life is full of interesting things; everyday details are gold when you write and interact with others. I traveled by train from Hue to Saigon, paying close attention, and I never saw anyone as ugly as Thi No. That's when I realized how brilliant Nam Cao was."

On another occasion, for reasons unknown, while lecturing on the topic of origins and hometowns, he retorted sharply: "Many people open their mouths and curse people as country bumpkins. Everyone has a hometown."

The generation living in the dormitory at 27 Nguyen Hue Street at that time was starving, which is why there was this "TV repair" phenomenon. In Hue, on the 15th and 1st of the lunar month, people offered full and respectful sacrifices, and other occasions were no exception. The students would "wait," and as soon as people turned their backs, they would snatch up the sticky rice, bananas, and chicken and run away. One day, the professor went to the lecture hall and said in a serious tone: "TV repair is something only our department does! Last night, I brought out a bunch of bananas for the offering, and as soon as I turned around, it was gone. I know you guys are hungry, but doing that is wrong, it's very offensive."

Speaking of him, each class, each person, has their own memories. That day, I sat with him, discussing university life, and he shook his head, saying that teaching now isn't as fun as it was when you guys were studying. It's tough, so everyone tries their best to study and read, which motivates the teachers, and creates a warm teacher-student bond. What can you do about it now?

Teacher Phan Dang (front row, fourth from the right), head of the K10 Literature class, leads first-year students on a field trip to visit historical sites in the ancient capital of Hue in 1986. (Photo courtesy of Phan Quang Muoi)

Unexpectedly, he asked, "Are you still drinking a lot?" I nodded. He laughed, "Since I retired, I've still been working like I was when I was teaching. Keep working so your brain doesn't freeze up and you don't fail." At that point, I asked him what he was doing, and he said he was teaching at the Buddhist Academy. "Listen, I'm translating Buddhist scriptures from the Ly-Tran dynasties; there are many extremely fascinating things that haven't been published yet."

Knowing that my son was studying Southeast Asian culture and might be sent back to Vietnam by the school to do some research, he immediately said: "Tell him that if he wants to do Buddhist literature and culture research, he should come see me; I'll teach him."

I was deeply moved.

Phan Quang Mười, a student from the K10 Literature class, recounted a memorable moment of gratitude he felt towards his teacher. Upon graduation, the teacher said, "In all the graduating classes, I've never seen anyone in such difficult circumstances as you. Given your situation, finding a job will surely be challenging. I have nothing to offer, but I'll discuss it with the department and the university, and we might keep you on and arrange a job for you, perhaps in academic affairs." Although he didn't stay, he will always remember the teacher's kindness.

Now that he's gone, perhaps his translation work is still unfinished at his desk. Occasionally, I remember him smiling, tilting his head, saying something witty and clever, yet concealing a touch of the arrogant air of someone who understood so much about life.

With a bow of respect, I bid farewell to you, teacher!

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