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SOFIA UNIVERSITY ST. KLIMENT OHRIDSKI

Faculty of Classical and Modern Philology

Department of Sinology

索非亚大学经典与现代语文系汉学教研室

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  4. Alexander Alexiev

Alexander Alexiev

Academic position: Professor of Chinese Philology, Ph.D.

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Academic profile: Alexander B. Alexiev holds a Master’s Degree on Eastern Languages and Literatures (Chinese Major) from St. Petersburg University, Russia. In 1988-1989 he became a librarian at the Oriental Studies Library, Centre for Eastern Languages and Cultures of the Faculty of Classical and Modern Philology at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” in Bulgaria, where he was responsible for the supply, inventory and management of the Chinese library fund. Later he engaged in teaching and gained a Ph.D. in General and Comparative Linguistics (Chinese Major) at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” in Bulgaria, where he lectured extensively. He is currently Professor of Chinese Philology. His Ph.D. thesis is entitled “Word Formation with the use of Semi-Affixes in Chinese”. He later wrote a monograph “Word Formation with the Use of Formants in Chinese”. His research was initially focused on lexicology, lexicography, word-formation, then shifted to multifunctionality of Chinese words and the need to create a simple model for Chinese grammar. As a means for achieving the latter, he started teaching Chinese Dependency Syntax in the Bachelor Sinology program and conducting research with the help of his Master and Doctoral students. He has also always had an interest in Chinese phraseology, and so he wrote a monograph on the Chinese two-part wordplay phraseological units (xiehouyu). The latter made him aware of the massive and ubiquitous use of phono-semantic transfers (homophonic, paronymic and etymological punning, cognates) as a language and culture phenomenon in China and he has constantly lectured and written on that topic ever since. In recent years, he has also lectured on Chinese Civilization, particularly humour, language stylistics, and traditional culture. In trying to keep up with the dynamics of our times internationally and in East Asia and the Pacific in particular, lately he also takes a few lectures on political systems in Eastern Asia, the Belt and Road Initiative, the global triangle China-Europe-USA in both Bachelor and Master Degree programs.

 

 

Education, Scholarly and Administrative Positions:

2012 till present – Professor of Chinese Philology

2006-2013 – Confucius Institute in Sofia, Director; HSK Test Representative for Bulgaria (2004-2013), Founder of the Bulgarian League of Schools with Education in Chinese Language and Culture.

2005-2008 Associate Professor in “Languages of Asia, Africa and America (Chinese Linguistics)“, State Supreme Certification Commission, Diploma № 24969, May 20, 2008.

2003-2005 – Doctor in “General and Comparative Linguistics”, Diploma № 29710, May 09, 2005.

In 1988-1989 – librarian at the Oriental Studies Library, Centre for Eastern Languages and Cultures of the Faculty of Classical and Modern Philology at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”.

1983-1988 – St.Petersburg University, Russia, Master of Eastern Languages and Literatures (Chinese), Diploma № 002940, June 20, 1988.

 

Teaching:

  • Word Formation in the Chinese Language – 30 lectures, 5-th semester, “Chinese Studies” Bachelor’s Programme
  • Phraseology of the Chinese Language – 30 lectures and 15 seminars, 4-th semester, “Chinese Studies” Bachelor’s Programme
  • Chinese Language Stylistics – 30 lectures, 8-th semester, “Chinese Studies” Bachelor’s Programme
  • Lexicology and Lexicography of the Chinese Language – 30 lectures, 3-rd semester, “Chinese Studies” Bachelor’s Programme
  • Dependency Grammar of the Chinese Language (Syntax) – 30 lectures, 5-th semester, “Chinese Studies” Bachelor’s Programme
  • Language and Culture of China – 30 lectures, 1-st semester, “History and Modernity of Russia, East Asia and Eurasia” Master’s Programme, Dept. of History
  • Traditional Culture of China – 30 lectures, 2-nd semester, “History and Modernity of Russia, East Asia and Eurasia” Master’s Programme, Dept. of History
  • Contrastive Analysis (Chinese-Bulgarian) – 30 lectures and 15 seminars, 1-st semester, “Applied Linguistics with Oriental Languages (Chinese)” Master’s Programme
  • Phonosemantic Transfers in Chinese Language and Culture - 30 lectures, 6-th semester, “Chinese Studies” Bachelor’s Programme
  • Specialized Translation: Law (Chinese) – 30 seminars, 2-nd semester, “Applied Linguistics with Oriental Languages (Chinese)” Master’s Programme
  • Specialized Translation: News Media (Chinese) – 30 seminars, 2-nd semester, “Applied Linguistics with Oriental Languages (Chinese)” Master’s Programme
  • China, Europe and the USA - 30 lectures, 7-th semester, “South, East and SE Asia” Bachelor’s Programme
  • Political Systems in Eastern Asia – 30 lectures, 1-st semester, “South, East and SE Asia” Bachelor’s Programme
  • PRC’s New Silk Road -– The “Belt and Road” (BRI) - 30 lectures, 1-st semester, “South, East and SE Asia” Master’s Programme
  • East Asia and the Pacific: Key to the Global Future - 30 lectures, 1-st semester, “South, East and SE Asia” Master’s Programme

 

 

 

Selected Scholarly Work:

  1. Alexiev, A.B. Word Formation with the use of Semi-Affixes in Chinese (Functions of Morphemes 好hao4 & hao3, 合 he2, 化 hua4, 加 jia1 and可 ke3). PhD Dissertation. Sofia, 2004. 116 p. (in Bulgarian)
  2. Alexiev, A.B. Function of Adjectives as Predicates in Chinese. In: Bulgarian Oriental Research. Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Sofia, pp. 68-88. (in Bulgarian)
  3. Alexiev, A.B. Word Formation with the Use of Formants in Chinese. Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”. Habilitation work. Sofia, 136 p. (in Bulgarian)
  4. Alexiev, A.B. Punning as a Language and Culture Phenomenon in China. In: Bulgarian Language and Literature. Book 3-4. Sofia, 2009. pp. 37-45. (in Bulgarian)
  5. Alexiev, A.B. Multifunctionality in Chinese and Dependency Grammar Solutions. In: Modern China and Its Tradition. Collection of Papers from the International Sinological Conference. Belgrade, 2009. pp 296-311. (in English)
  6. Alexiev, A.B. A.B. Main Punning Strategies in Traditional Chinese Culture: A Linguistic Look. In: The Silk Road – Papers from the International Conference, Organized by Confucius Institute in Sofia, Bulgaria, June 3-4, 2011. Sofia, 2011. (in English)
  7. Alexiev, A.B. Bulgarian-Chinese Phrase-Book. Gramma: Abagar, V.Tarnovo, 2011. 319 p.
  8. Alexiev, A.B. Chinese Wordplay Phraseology (歇后语). Sofia, 2011-2012. 145 p. (in Bulgarian)
  9. Alexiev, A.B. Chinese Derivatives with a Component-Preposition. In: Collection of Papers from the Third International Conference on Chinese Studies “The Silk Road”, organized by Confucius Institute in Sofia, Bulgaria, 4-5 June 2015. Sofia, pp. 8-14. (in English)
  10. Alexiev, A.B. Homonyms and Paronyms in Chinese. In: Collection of Papers from the International Conference East Asian Countries – Relationships and Interactions. Sofia, 2013. p.232-241. (in Bulgarian)
  11. Alexiev, A.B. The Balkans and the New Silk Road: Between Europe and Eurasia. In: Collection of Papers from the International Conference East Asian Countries – Relationships and Interactions. Sofia, 2017. p. 64-74. (in Bulgarian).
  12. Alexiev, A.B. Explaining the Principle Ren “Benevolence” Through Cognates in the Analects of Confucius. In: Spirituality and Moral Values of the East. Collection of papers from the scientific conference on Japanese Studies at Sofia University "St. Kl. Ohridski". Propeller Publishing House, Sofia, 2017. p. 103-116. (in Bulgarian).
  13. Alexiev, A.B. Singapore – China’s key to ASEAN. In: Days of Southeast Asia at the Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski". Collection of papers from the first scientific conference with international participation. “Countries of Southeast Asia - on the road to socio-economic development and progress”, 18 May 2017 Publishing House of the University "St. Kliment Ohridski ". Sofia, 2017, p. 85-96. (in Bulgarian)
  14. Alexiev, A.B. Rules for transcription and spelling of Chinese personal and geographic names in Bulgarian: problems and suggestions for their solution. In: Manas. Bulgarian transcription of anthroponyms and toponyms from Asian and African languages., Vol 4., Issue 1. Center for Eastern Languages and Cultures, Sofia, 2018. (in Bulgarian).
  15. Alexiev, A.B. Determining Subclasses of Predicates in Chinese from a Dependency Grammar Viewpoint. In: CURRENT ISSUES IN CONTEMPORARY. CHINESE AND ORIENTAL STUDIES. Papers from the International Conference, Dedicated to the 25th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Chinese Studies Program at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Vol. 1. Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” Publishing House. Sofia, 2018. p. 11-19. ISBN 978-954-07-4550-3.
  16. Alexiev, Alexander. New Silk Road and Common Development: Making the Balkans Bloom. In: THE COLLECTED WORKS AT THE SYMPOSIUM ON CHINA STUDIES 2018. Editor-in-Chief: Xie Jinying, Deputy Directors of the Editorial Board: Zhu Qiyu, Peng Lirui, Members of the Editorial Board: Liang Chuan, Xu Xunji, Sun Jie, Jia Kun. Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Beijing, 2020. pp. 99-111. /“一带一路”倡议与共同发展：新丝路花开巴尔干地区. 艾立山, 保加利亚索非亚“圣克莱门特·奥赫里德”大学汉学教研室教授博士. 载: 2018“汉学与当代中国”座谈会文集. 编委会主任：谢金英, 编委会副主任：朱　琦　于,　芃　李　蕊, 编委会委员：梁　川　徐逊吉　孙　杰　贾　锟. 中国社会科学出版社. 北京君升印刷有限公司. 北京2020. pp.94-107. ISBN: 978-7-5203-7193-3
  17. China and the World: Language, Culture, Politics. Alexiev, Alexander. Zygadlo, Pawel (Eds). Papers from the international conference, jointly organized by the Department of Sinology at Sofi a University “St. Kliment Ohridski” and the Department of China Studies at Xi’an Jiaotong – Liverpool University, 12–13 December 2019. Vol. 1. St.Kliment Ohridski University Press. Sofia 2020. – 344 p. ISBN 978-954-07-5075-0 (мека подвързия); ISBN 978-954-07-5071-2 (pdf) Vol. St.Kliment Ohridski University Press. Sofia 2021. – 135 p. ISBN: 978-954-07-5128-3 (pdf)
  18. Alexander Alexiev, Stefan Ivanchev. Examining China’s Belt and Road Discourse: from Outline Sketches to Fine Line Strokes. In: China and the World: Language, Culture, Politics. Papers from the international conference, jointly organized by the Department of Sinology at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” and the Department of China Studies at Xi’an Jiaotong – Liverpool University, 12–13 December 2019, Volume 1. University Press St. Kliment Ohridski. Nov. 2020. Pp. 79-104. ISBN 978-954-07-5075-0 (мека подвързия); ISBN 978-954-07-5071-2 (pdf)

 

Translation Work:

  1. "The Last Emperor" TV drama series (《末代 皇帝》 电视剧), 1989, for the Bulgarian National Television.
  2. "Three Lessons", author Liu Zunyuan (translated from ancient Chinese (柳宗元 《三 戒》). In: "The Unknown East". University Publishing House "St. Kliment Ohridski", Sofia, 2001. p.295-298
  3. Chun Shu “Beijing Doll” (春树 《北京娃娃》), 2005, - selected readings.
  4. Song narratives. Unknown author - "May Fei" (translated from classical Chinese (佚名 《梅妃傳》); Le Shi - "Unofficial biography of Yang Taizhen", (translated from clasical Chinese) (樂 史 《楊 太 真 外傳》). Medieval Chinese Literature - Reader Part 1. University Publishing House St. St. Cyril and Methodius. Veliko Tarnovo, 2012. pp. 246-256, pp. 257-290.
  5. Wang Shifu "West Chamber"（《西厢记》– selected readings..Medieval Chinese Literature - Reader Part 2, East-West Publishing House, Sofia 2017.

 

 

 

Speeches, Papers:

  1. International Conference“ China and the World - Language, Culture, Politics”. Dec 12, 2019. – Fuzzy Grandview: The New Global Concepts behind China's Belt and Road Initiative, a paper by Alexander B. Alexiev, Professor, PhD, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski ”, Bulgaria & Ivaylo Gatev, PhD, independent scholar.
  2. Singapore - China's key to ASEAN. Scientific conference on the topic: "The countries of Southeast Asia - on the path of socio-economic development and progress", - Days of Southeast Asia at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”. May 18, 2017. – Paper on China in Africa.
  3. Conference for bachelor and doctoral students, lecturers from Sofia University, from other Bulgarian and foreign universities and research units, as well as specialists from fields outside education and foreign countries. "Asia and the World - Relationships and Interactions-2016", dedicated to "St. Kliment's Days" at Sofia University, December 15-16, 2016 (Thursday, Friday). Paper on the Balkans and the New Silk Road - between Europe and Eurasia.
  4. Popular Puns in Chinese Folk Rhymes, at the 21st Biennial Conference of the European Association of Chinese Studies, SPb, Aug 23-28, 2016.
  5. Third International Conference “The Silk Road” Organized by the Confucius Institute in Sofia, Bulgaria, June 4-5, 2015 – paper on Chinese Derivatives with a Component-Preposition.
  6. Chinese Forum for Investment and Tourism "Discover and Invest in Bulgaria", Plovdiv (May 2013) – Keynote Speech about "Teaching Chinese in Bulgaria".
  7. International Conference of the Confucius Institute in Belgrade, Serbia (November 2012) – Paper on Chinese Phonosemantic Transfers and Grammar
  8. International Conference of the European Phraseology Association (EUROPHRAS) at the University of Maribor, Slovenia (August 2012) – Chinese Culture of Phonosemantic Transfers in Phraseology

 

 

Participation in Erasmus+ mobility:

  1. Erasmus +, Teaching Mobility, Lectures on Chinese Phraseology and Grammar of Chinese Addictions, Sacred Heart Catholic University, Milan and Brescia, March 2019.
  2. Erasmus +, Teaching Mobility, Lectures on Chinese Phraseology and Grammar of Chinese Language Dependencies, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, March 2018.
  3. Erasmus +, Teaching Mobility, Lectures on Chinese Phraseology and Humor, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, March 2016.