On the afternoon of October 25, 2023, Prof. Dr. Ottmar Ette, Director of the Humboldt Center for Transdisciplinary Studies, visited the School of Foreign Languages at Xiangtan University to deliver a lecture titled "Alexander von Humboldt and the Birth of Modern Ecology" to the students and faculty of the French Department.

In his lecture, Prof. Dr. Ette provided an in-depth examination of the life and ideas of Humboldt, elucidating his significant contributions to the development of modern ecology. He underscored Humboldt's holistic view of nature and culture as an indivisible entity, a perspective that underpins his ecological concepts. This conceptual framework, as Prof. Dr. Ette elaborated, positions Humboldt not only as a pioneering naturalist but also as a forerunner in the interdisciplinary study of ecological systems.

Prof. Dr. Ette's presentation facilitated a deeper scholarly engagement with Humboldt’s scientific endeavors, encouraging a critical reflection on the symbiotic relationship between humanity and the natural world. His discourse invited the audience to contemplate the theoretical implications of Humboldt’s work for contemporary ecological thought and the broader discourse on sustainable coexistence.

Moreover, Prof. Dr. Ette accentuated the pivotal role of language learning in fostering intercultural understanding. He posited that the mastery of a foreign language is indispensable for a profound comprehension of diverse cultural paradigms. This assertion aligns with Humboldt’s own advocacy for linguistic and cultural studies as essential components of a holistic education.

The lecture thus served a dual purpose: it provided an academic enrichment to the attendees, deepening their appreciation of Humboldt’s legacy, and it ignited a renewed enthusiasm for the study of languages and cultures. This event epitomized the intersection of ecological scholarship and linguistic studies, reflecting the transdisciplinary ethos championed by the Humboldt Center for Transdisciplinary Studies.