为了进一步了解和关心国际留学生在校学习和生活情况、增进对留学生所在的国家文化的认识、培养学生国际视野、促进文化交流和文明沟通，国际学院针对留学生推出了教育开放推广季“跨文化视野”之“和山面对面”系列访谈节目。11月21日下午英语语言文化学院翻译专业的唐畅( Sylvia)同学对乌里进行了访谈。
乌里，来自墨西哥，2024级国际贸易专业学生。
Uri, a student majoring in International Trade in the class of 2024, is from Mexico.
乌里准备了一份精美的PPT，向中国学生们介绍墨西哥的文化，并认真地回答同学们提出的问题。
Uri prepared a wonderful PPT to introduce Mexican culture to Chinese students and answered the questions raised by the students carefully.
乌里：墨西哥有诸多独特的风土人情。比如奇琴伊察，那是个美不胜收的地方，曾是玛雅人聚居的古老区域。它声名远扬，得益于玛雅人对其的尊崇。在玛雅语里，这个地方叫 “Chichen Itza”，意为 “水源之口”“水源之井”，在玛雅人眼中，那些学识渊博之人被称作 “sources”，类似充满智慧的智者或魔法师，所以此地意义非凡，极为神圣。现今，这里还会举办各类现场表演，有绚丽的投影画面、灯光，还有诸多动物造型展示。
玛雅文明在公元250年至900年的鼎盛时期，发展了复杂的日历系统和对天文现象的深入理解，包括预测日食的能力。尽管玛雅文明在某些地区衰落，但他们的后代今天仍然生活在中美洲，保持着他们的文化和传统。
Uri: Mexico has many unique local customs. For example, Chichen Itza is a beautiful place and was an ancient area where the Mayans lived. It is famous because the Mayans held it in high esteem. In the Mayan language, it is called "Chichen Itza", which means "the well of thesorceress of water" or "the mouth olthe well of sorceress of water". In the eyes of the Mayans, those with profound knowledge were called "sources", similar to wise sages or magicians, so this place is of great significance and is extremely sacred. Nowadays, there are various live performances here, with gorgeous projection pictures, lights, and many animal-shaped displays.
During the peak period of the Mayan civilization from 250 to 900 AD, they developed a complex calendar system and a deep understanding of astronomical phenomena, including the ability to predict solar eclipses. Despite the decline of the Mayan civilization in some areas, their descendants still live in Central America today, preserving their culture and traditions.
乌里：玛雅人在建筑与艺术领域造诣颇高，在一些金字塔形建筑前鼓掌，会发出和现实中名为 “Quetzal”（西班牙语）的鸟叫声极为相似甚至相同的声音，而这种鸟，与玛雅文化里某位神灵的名字相关联。所以，他们能够复制出对他们来说是神的鸟的声音。
墨西哥的社交文化也独具特色，人们乐于互相帮助，秉持热情好客的传统。融合了古老神秘的历史文化与热情洋溢的现代生活氛围，有着独特迷人的风土人情。
Uri: The Mayans were highly accomplished in architecture and art. When clapping in front of the pyramids, a sound very similar or even identical to the call of a bird called "quetzal" (in Spanish) in real life will be produced, and this bird is related to the name of a certain god in the Mayan culture. So, they were able to replicate the sound of a bird that for them was a god.
Mexico's social culture is also unique. People are willing to help each other and uphold the tradition of being warm and hospitable. It combines ancient and mysterious historical culture with a passionate modern life atmosphere, possessing unique and charming local customs.
唐畅：你提到过自己热爱运动，那墨西哥有哪些特别的运动项目呢？
乌里：墨西哥有一项源于玛雅文明的独特运动，类似足球却有着别样规则。在游戏中，参与者不允许用手和脚触球，只能用臀部击球，场地设有特定的洞，球若能穿过洞，就能得一分。不过，至今人们仍有争议的一点是，对于这场比赛的输赢者存在不同说法，有人认为无论是胜者还是败者都可能会被当作祭品，但也不确定到底是哪一方，因为对玛雅人而言，这个游戏象征着生死、善恶等诸多事物间的平衡，极具特殊意义，充满神秘色彩。
Sylvia：You mentioned that you love sports. What special sports are there in Mexico?
Uri: There is a unique sport in Mexico that originated from the Mayan civilization and is similar to football but with different rules. In this game, players were not allowed to touch the ball with their hands or feet, but only with their hips. There were specific holes on the field, and if the ball passed through the holes, one point could be scored. However, there is still a point of contention to this day. There are different views on the winners and losers of this game. Some people think that either the winners or the losers might be sacrificed, but it's not certain which side it was. Because for the Mayans, this game symbolized the balance between life and death, good and evil, and many other things, which was of special significance and full of mystery.
唐畅：我知道墨西哥有个极为著名的节日叫亡灵节，你能详细给我们介绍一下这个节日吗？
乌里：当然可以。在墨西哥，亡灵节堪称是最盛大且最具文化意义的庆典活动，闻名全球，一提到墨西哥，很多人就会立马联想到这个节日，它已然成为墨西哥文化至关重要的一部分。我从小到大参与这类庆祝活动，深感其趣味，从不觉得可怕。我曾和一位教授探讨过，她告诉我，在中国虽也有类似纪念逝者的节日，氛围却偏肃穆，而在墨西哥，亡灵节是充满欢乐与怀旧之情的美好节日。
这一天，人们在缅怀已逝亲人、挚友的同时，也带着对往昔岁月的怀念，阖家欢聚，共享此刻温情。 它充满欢乐氛围，带着些许怀旧之情，人们会点起蜡烛、虔诚祈祷、摆放物品以缅怀逝者。
在亡灵节时，墨西哥家庭会搭建祭坛以缅怀逝者，这祭坛就像是阖家一起制作、承载思念的特殊“家具”，不仅能纪念亲人，还能纪念曾经陪伴的宠物。家人会精心搭建祭坛，上面放置逝者生前钟爱的食物、照片、鲜花等，甚至还可为宠物设立祭坛，摆上它们喜欢的东西。同时，会有特色食物供应，像 “pan de muerto”，这是一种用橘子制作的甜面包，上面装饰形似小骨头；还有 “galleta de azúcar”，用糖制成，精美如艺术品，有不同口味与大小，兼具观赏性与美味。
Sylvia: I know that there is a very famous festival in Mexico called the Day of the Dead. Could you introduce this festival to us in detail?
Uri: Of course. In Mexico, the Day of the Dead is the grandest and most culturally significant celebration. It's famous all over the world. When people mention Mexico, many will immediately think of this festival, and it has become an essential part of Mexican culture. I've participated in such celebrations since I was a child and have always found them interesting and never scary. I once discussed this with a professor. She told me that although there are similar festivals to remember the deceased in China, the atmosphere is rather solemn, while in Mexico, the Day of the Dead is a beautiful festival full of joy and nostalgia.
On this day, while remembering deceased relatives and friends, people also cherish the memories of the past, gathering with their families and sharing the warmth of the moment. It is full of a joyful atmosphere with a touch of nostalgia. People will light candles, pray sincerely, and place items to remember the deceased.
During the Day of the Dead, Mexican families will build altars to remember the deceased. These altars are like special "furniture" made by the whole family together to carry their memories. They can be used to remember not only relatives but also pets that once accompanied them. Common items placed on the altar include food, photos of the deceased, flowers, paper, etc. Photos are especially important as they are the key to evoking memories. In addition, people will also put things that the deceased loved during their lifetime, such as favorite foods, drinks, books they often read, collections of poems they were fond of, and even cigarettes they liked to smoke. As long as they were cherished by the deceased during their lifetime, regardless of the type, they can all be placed on it.
李雨璇：但是在不少地方，死亡常被视为禁忌话题，你是如何看待这一文化差异的呢？
乌里：在墨西哥，我们并不惧怕谈论死亡。在墨西哥的幼儿园或小学，老师会给学生们布置一项任务，写一种独特的诗歌，叫做“salgyriit”，意思是小头骨。写这些作业的唯一基本要求是，它们必须谈论死亡。
墨西哥人普遍觉得，逝者已然安息，不再受苦，还会在冥冥之中庇佑在世之人，给予指引。基于这样的信仰认知，大家谈及死亡，实则是在探讨对来世生活的看法，但并非将其视作禁忌。
Li Yuxuan: In many places, death is often regarded as a taboo topic. What do you think about this phenomenon?
Uri: In Mexico, we are not afraid to talk about death. In a Mexican kindergarten or elementary school, the teachers leave students the task to write a unique kind of poem called "calaverita" that means skull. The only basic requirement to write them is that they have to talk about death.
Mexicans generally believe that the deceased have already rested in peace, are no longer suffering, and will protect and guide those still alive in the unseen world. Based on this religious understanding, when people talk about death, they are actually discussing their views on the afterlife. But they don't consider it a taboo.
唐畅：你在中国是否经历过文化冲击呢？
乌里：我确实经历过。记得有一回在广场上，我还没有朋友并且特别紧张。在墨西哥，大家秉持着互助的文化传统，要是有人求助，我们往往会停下手中事，全心去帮忙。那次我到了中国，看到一群人，他们是年轻人呢。我走上前去打招呼，说道：“嗨，你们好呀！有空吗？咱们交个朋友呗。” 结果他们果断拒绝了我。他们反问我：“你想和谁交朋友呀？” 我说：“和你们所有人呀。” 他们一脸诧异地看着我，还是不愿交换联系方式。这让我挺失落的，当时还以为他们不喜欢我呢。后来我才明白，在中国，像我这样贸然上前询问能不能交朋友，不是很常见的做法。
Sylvia: Have you experienced any cultural shock in China?
Uri: Yes, I have. I remember once I was in the plaza, I had no friends and felt extremely nervous. In Mexico, we have a cultural tradition of helping each other. If someone asks for help, we usually stop what we're doing and focus on that person wholeheartedly. When I arrived in China that time, I saw a group of people and thought they were young folks. I walked up to them, greeted them and said, "Hi, how are you all! Are you free? Let's be friends." But they firmly refused me. They asked me back, "Who do you want to be friends with?" I said, "With all of you." They looked at me in surprise and still didn't want to exchange contact information. It made me quite disappointed. At that time, I thought they didn't like me. Later, I realized that in China, it's not a common practice to approach someone so abruptly and ask if we can be friends like I did.
唐畅：你可以向我们介绍一样墨西哥的代表性美食吗？
乌里：我们有许多种美食，其中一道特别受大家欢迎的典型菜肴叫酸橘汁腌鱼。这道菜主要用鱼制作，不过也能用虾。鱼或虾会被细细切碎，与柠檬汁酱料充分混合，如此一来，鱼肉颜色就会从原本的粉红色变成鲜亮的色泽，再搭配上各类蔬菜，整道菜色彩缤纷。吃的时候，既有鱼肉虾肉，又有酱汁，别有一番风味。我很喜欢这道菜，它是我所居住城市的特色美食，通常搭配玉米片一起吃呢。
Sylvia: Can you introduce us to one of the typical Mexican foods?
Uri: We have many kinds of food here. One typical dish that is especially popular among people is called ceviche. This dish is mainly made with fish, but it can also be made with shrimp. The fish or shrimp is chopped finely and mixed thoroughly with lemon juice sauce. As a result, the color of the fish changes from the original pink to a bright hue. Combined with various vegetables, the whole dish looks colorful. When eating, there are fish, shrimp and sauce together, which gives a unique flavor. I like this dish very much. It's a specialty of our city and is usually eaten with tortilla chips.
唐畅：你之前提到说你想要成为一名国际商务领域的业务经理，你可以具体谈谈吗？
乌里：国际商务领域特别吸引我，一方面，能借此结识来自不同文化背景的人，与世界各地的人打交道、了解多元文化，这让我很心动；另一方面，在工作过程中有机会与供应商频繁沟通交流，对我而言，这是个不错的契机，而且因工作需要还能去各地出差、游历，拓展视野。
之前我在韩国首尔，试着跟一位店主谈合作、做交易，不过当时我没做好充分准备，没做市场调研就贸然前往，成果并不太好。我也考虑过与中国开展商务贸易，对比韩国的话，韩国化妆品在墨西哥很受欢迎，做相关贸易相对轻松、容易上手，可在中国做贸易，情况更复杂些。但我觉得也充满机遇。
在不断摸索过程中，我越发意识到国际商务贸易核心在于人与人的沟通交流、建立良好社交关系，毕竟不管是对方认可你、乐意合作，还是有所顾虑、不愿携手，本质上都关乎彼此间的人际互动。
Sylvia: You mentioned earlier that you want to be a business manager in the field of international business. Can you tell me more about that?
Uri: The field of international commerce fascinates me a lot. On the one hand, it offers me the opportunity to get to know people from different cultural backgrounds, communicate with people around the world and understand diverse cultures, which really appeals to me. On the other hand, during the work process, there will be frequent communication and exchanges with suppliers, which is a great opportunity for me. Moreover, due to work needs, I can go on business trips and travel to different places to broaden my horizons.
Previously, I was in Seoul, South Korea, and tried to negotiate cooperation and make a deal with a store owner. However, I wasn't well-prepared at that time. I went there rashly without doing market research. It didn't work out so well. I've also considered conducting business trade with China. Compared with South Korea, Korean cosmetics are very popular in Mexico, and it's relatively easy to do relevant trade. However, doing business in China is more complicated. But I think there are also full of opportunities.
During the continuous exploration process, I've increasingly realized that the core of international business trade lies in communication and establishing good social relations between people. After all, whether the other party approves of you and is willing to cooperate or has concerns and is unwilling to work together essentially depends on the interpersonal interaction between each other.
