Pedicab driver applying for Dr. of Fudan38岁三轮车夫破格考上复旦博士

导读：8个月前，他还是辽宁省锦州市一个靠卖力气养家糊口的三轮车夫(pedicab driver)，而今天，他已即将成为名校复旦大学的博士生。蔡伟，一名38岁的三轮车夫，以其对古汉字的执着热爱，成为中国高中毕业生申请博士学位第一人…
Pedicab driver applying for Dr. of Fudan
38岁三轮车夫破格考上复旦博士
FROM People's Daily Online
PUBLISHED: 2009-07-20
http://www.i21st.cn/story/562.html
Youku：三轮车夫考取复旦博士研究生

XINHUA： Cai Wei, a pedicab driver, shows the notification of admission to Shanghai's prestigious Fudan University for doctor's degree studies of Chinese ancient documents, July 16, 2009.

XINHUA： Cai Wei (L), a pedicab driver, receives congratulations from friends for his notification of admission to Fudan University for doctor's degree studies of Chinese ancient documents, July 16, 2009.
各大在线媒体近日发布了一条名为"复旦将录取38岁三轮车夫为博士生"的新闻。新闻主人公，来自辽宁省锦州市的蔡伟也因此一夜成名。“今年38岁，只有高中文化的三轮车夫考上了博士”--这并非一个简单的励志故事。故事背后所包含的，既有一个年轻人对知识的执著追求，更有学术的无穷魅力、爱才的良师以及高校开明的学风。
Major online media has released news of "Fudan University`s plan to recruit a 38-year-old pedicab driver as a doctor". Cai Wei is from Jinzhou in Liaoning province and became a celebrity overnight. A 38-year-old, high school diploma turns from a pedicab driver to a University doctor; this is not just a simple inspirational story. Behind this story is not only a young man`s devotion to knowledge, but the endless charm of a subject, talent-cherishing scholars and an open-minded University…
生命中最艰难的寒冬：为了生存放弃学业
The bleakest time in my life: Giving up study to survive
今年三月上旬，蔡伟接到了来自复旦大学的电话，请他去参加博士生招生考试。一瞬间，蔡伟觉得整个世界的颜色都变了，变得更加灿烂多彩。
Early in March this year, Cai Wei received a phone call from Fudan University requiring him to attend the doctor recruitment examination. At that moment, Cai Wei felt so excited as if the whole world seemed to have changed color for him, becoming brighter and more colorful.
尚在幼年时，在描书临帖的过程中，蔡伟就对中国古代汉字产生了浓厚的兴趣。高中时，他的语文成绩出类拔萃，甚至有时老师也会来向他请教一些生僻字。然而，由于英语和数学成绩太差，进大学对于蔡伟来说成了个遥不可及的梦。
It was in his childhood when imitating calligraphy that Cai Wei developed a keen interest in ancient Chinese characters. His performances in language courses were excellent in high school, and sometimes his teacher would come to him for help when encountering uncommon words. However, due to poor performance in Mathematics and English, entering Universities became a distant dream for Cai Wei.
“我高中毕业后并没有考上大学，于是进了锦州的一家橡胶厂工作。3年后，这家工厂倒闭了，于是我开始摆小摊子过活。”蔡伟卖过香烟、冰棍，也当过三轮车夫。但无论做什么工作，他对于古汉字的热爱未减分毫。
"I had not been accepted by Universities after graduating from high school. So, I started work for a rubber factory in Jinzhou. 3 years later, this factory closed down, I began to set up temporary stalls. Cai Wei once sold cigarettes, ice-cream and worked as pedicab driver. Whatever he did, his love of ancient Chinese characters had never changed.
只要一有时间，蔡伟就跑去图书馆学习。由于那里的很多古籍是孤本，不能外借，蔡伟就只好整本整本的抄下来。所有这些付出都是源于他对学习古汉字的热情。
Whenever he had time, Cai Wei preferred to indulge himself in the library. There were many ancient books which cannot be found elsewhere and cannot be loaned, he therefore sat at the library and copied down the whole book. All of this attributed to Cai Wei`s strong enthusiasm for studying ancient Chinese characters.
来到蔡伟的家，你才能真正体会到"贫穷"的含义。家里没有像样的家具，也没有最基本的装潢，唯一的一张照片就是蔡伟和他妻子的结婚照。
When coming across Caiwei`s home, you will really understand poverty. There is no decent furniture, no basic decoration, and the only photograph in the home is the wedding photo of Cai Wei and his wife.
他的妻子张悦告诉记者，家里最值钱的东西也就是蔡伟的书了。在过去的20年中，蔡伟从未停止过自学，他的大部分收入都用在买书上了。在最困难的时候，蔡伟不得不放下书本。他说这是他生命中最艰难的阶段。
His wife Zhang Yue told the reporter that the most valuable possession in their home was her husband`s books. During the past 20 years, Cai Wei never stopped self-study and most of his income was spent on books. In the most difficult period of his life, Cai Wei had to give up study. He said that it was the bleakest time.
与其说是成功，不如说是运气
It is luck rather than success
当被问及是否认为自己是一个成功的人时，蔡伟说他只是很幸运的遇到了裘教授和一些赏识他的朋友。而正是蔡伟对于学习古汉字的执着，使他得蒙垂青。
When being asked whether he considers himself a successful man, Cai Wei said that he is just lucky to meet Professor Qiu and some friends who appreciating him. While it was Cai Wei`s resolution on the study of ancient Chinese language that let him become appreciated.
1997年，蔡伟发表了一批论文，这些文章引起了学术圈的注意。尤其是古文字专家裘锡圭教授，他对于蔡伟的才华大为赞赏。
In 1997, Cai Wei published some articles which aroused the attention from academic circles. In particular Professor Qiu Xigui, the ancient Chinese language expert, really appreciated Cai Wei`s talent.
记者在采访过程中听到了这样一个故事：1997年时，裘锡圭教授发表了一篇名为《〈神乌赋〉初探》的论文。文中提及他对"佐子"一词不明其意。在读完这篇论文后，蔡伟致信裘教授，说"佐子"应读为"嗟子"。裘教授认同了蔡伟的观点并开始关注这个年轻人。
The reporter heard a story during the interview: In 1997, Professor Qiu Xigui published an article named "first discussion about `legendary bird fu`". In this article, Professor Qiu failed to explain the phrase "zuozi". After reading this article, Cai Wei wrote to Professor Qiu, saying that "zuozi" should read; "cuozi". Professor Qiu agreed with Cai Wei and kept him in mind since then.
裘教授对蔡伟如此评价：他为人机敏，同时又掌握了大量的古籍知识，即使某些有经验的专家也无法达到他现今的水平。
Professor Qiu Xigui said of Cai Wei: He is quite acute and he has already a certain amount of knowledge on ancient books. Even some experienced experts are not able to reach the level he is at now.
一个痴迷古汉字的高中毕业生
A high school graduate who is keen on ancient Chinese characters
早在2008年，那时还是三轮车夫的蔡伟就已经在古汉字研究上小有成就。同年9月，经由一些专家介绍，蔡伟来到上海并参与了《马王堆汉墓简帛集成》课题的分类工作。共事一段时间后，蔡伟在古文字研究方面的能力给同事们留下了深刻印象。
In 2008, Cai Wei who was working as a pedicab driver had already gained some accomplishments on ancient Chinese study. In September of the same year, introduced by some experts, Cai came to Shanghai and participated in the sorting work of the project "Silk writing in Han dynasty". After working together for a period of time, Cai Wei`s capability on the ancient Chinese character study really impressed his colleagues.
然而，根据国家相关规定，仅有高中文凭的蔡伟根本没有博士生学位申请资格。
However, in accordance with relevant state regulations, Cai Wei who only has high school diploma was not qualified to apply for the doctor qualification.
2009年3月，包括裘锡圭在内的三名教授联名上书教育部，请求特批授予蔡伟博士准考资格。
In March 2009, three professors including Professor Qiu Xigui wrote a recommendation letter to the Ministry of Education, requesting a special approval for Cai Wei to apply for doctor qualification.
很快，蔡伟得到许可，参加复旦大学出土文献与古文字研究中心博士资格考试。他顺利通过了第一轮，得以进入复试。蔡伟成为复旦历史上，同时也是中国自建立学位制度以来--高中毕业生申请博士学位第一人。
Soon, Cai Wei had been allowed to apply for the doctor`s degree in the ancient literature and research center of Fudan University and he successfully passed the first run examination, going to the next run. This was the first student graduating from high school to apply for the doctor`s degree, not only in the history of Fudan, but also since the establishment of the degree system in China.
蔡伟申请的博士研究方向是古代文学。他的同事们说，“这样的科目，即使对于研究生来说也是极有难度的，对他而言却是小菜一碟。”
Cai Wei applied for the doctor`s degree majoring ancient literature study. His colleagues said "This kind of subject is difficult even to postgraduates, but is very easy for him. "
在与蔡伟的学术交流中，许多同事对他肃然起敬：“他对于古汉字的了解远远高出常人。”现在，虽然考试结果还没有出来，但蔡伟身边的一些研究生和博士生已经叫他“蔡博士”。
In academic communication with Cai Wei, many of his colleagues respected him so much." His knowledge of ancient Chinese characters goes far beyond the ordinary, "At this stage, although the examination results have not been issued yet, some postgraduates and doctoral students around him already call him "Dr. Cai."
但是蔡伟仍然十分谦虚。他说：“在6月考试成绩出来以前，我仍然只能算是一个热爱古汉字的高中毕业生。”
But Cai Wei is still very modest. He said, "Before the test score issued in June I am only a high school graduate who is keen on ancient Chinese characters."
复旦大学研究生院副院长顾云深说，“学校在蔡伟入学后将为其制定一系列特殊的教学计划，包括一些本科和硕士阶段的课程，用来巩固和丰富他的专业知识基础，以便将来他更好地发挥专长。”
Gu Yunshen, vice president of postgraduate faculty in Fudan University expressed, "the tutors will make some special training programs for Cai Wei after he is recruited as a doctoral student, including some bachelor`s degree and master`s degree courses to consolidate and enrich the basis of his professional knowledge as well as further advance his specialty.
(Translator & Editor: 张驰 AND 小胡)
阅读工具
pedicab driver 三轮车夫
pedicab 三轮车
recruit 录取
inspirational  带有灵感的,给予灵感的,灵感的
bleak 萧瑟的,严寒的,阴郁的
calligraphy  书法
attribute to  归因于
be keen on  喜欢,热爱,醉心于
recommendation letter  推荐信
diploma 文凭
devotion 热爱，挚爱
stall (集市等的)摊位
enthusiasm 热情,热心
legendary  传说的，富有传奇色彩的，传奇的
in accordance with in accordance with
postgraduate 研究生