含盖五十六个民族的少数民族比较文学研究会不仅在中国独一无二,就是在全世界恐怕也是绝无仅有。我们正处于一个世界性的文化转型时期。在这种历史阶段,文化的横向开拓比一般的纵向发展显得更突出。所谓横向开拓,就是一种民族文化向他种民族文化借鉴,主流文化向边缘文化靠拢,一门学科向他种学科寻求渗透等。在这种情况下,曾经处于边缘地位的少数民族文化无疑将对主流文化的更新起很大的刺激作用。陈寅恪先生曾说: The study of minority literature covering 56 ethnic groups is not only unique in China, but also in the whole world. We are in a period of worldwide cultural transition. In this historical stage, the horizontal development of culture is more prominent than the general longitudinal development. The so-called horizontal development, that is, a national culture to learn from his ethnic culture, the mainstream culture closer to the edge of culture, a disciplinary disciplines to seek penetration. Under such circumstances, ethnic minorities once marginalized will undoubtedly greatly stimulate the renewal of mainstream culture. Mr. Chen Yinke once said: