When the International Federation of Translators (FIT), at its
17th World Congress in Tampere, Finland, last August, unanimously
chose China's Shanghai to be the host city for its 18th World
Congress in 2008, applause resounded through the auditorium, which
was painted scarlet by the red handbooks distributed by the Chinese
delegation and the crimson "Chinese knot" that adorned the lapels
of each participant.
To prepare for the congress, the Translators Association of
China (TAC) convened its Fifth National Secretary-generals'
Conference in Shanghai today, attracting nearly 100 translators
from across the nation to share advice or suggestions, and discuss
ways to promote the sustained development of China's translation
industry.
"Since its first meeting in Paris, France, in 1954, the FIT's
triennial congress is like an 'Olympic' gathering for the world's
translation community," Huang Youyi, the newly elected FIT vice
president, told International Communications after the Tampere
event. Huang is also vice president and secretary-general of TAC
and head of the Chinese delegation.
As the largest member of FIT, "TAC has taken part in various
non-governmental organization activities worldwide," Huang said.
The Shanghai FIT World Congress, themed "Translation and Cultural
Diversity," will offer FIT member organizations the opportunity to
get acquainted with one another's work, and facilitate
communication between different languages and cultures.
Addressing the Shanghai conference, Jiang Yonggang, TAC's
executive vice secretary-general, said: "To host the 18th FIT World
Congress is conducive to increasing TAC's prestige in the world and
intensifying exchanges and cooperation between Chinese translators
and their international colleagues."
Preparatory work is in full swing. A Chinese and English-version website of the congress have
been set up, and TAC plans to launch a French website soon.
According to Jiang, the congress logo will be unveiled at the
closing ceremony of the China International Forum on Translation
Industry, to be held in Shanghai from May 28 to 29.
While strengthening links with local translators' associations,
TAC also collaborates closely with FIT and its member
organizations. For example, together with Tsinghua University, TAC
sponsored the Fourth FIT Asian Translators Forum in 2004, and sent
delegations to attend a meeting to mark FIT's 50th anniversary in
Paris in November 2003, and the 2005 annual meeting of the American
Translators Association, Jiang said.
The Shanghai International Convention Center located by the
Huangpu River will serve as the venue for the World Congress.
"Beijing is to host the 2008 Summer Olympics, and Shanghai to host
the 2010 World Expo. When the world gives China opportunities,
China is prepared to pleasantly surprise the world in turn," said
TAC's President Liu Xiliang, who is also a renowned Spanish
translator.
(China.org.cn by staff reporter Shao Da, May 26, 2006)