In Celebration of the International Translation Day, Translators Association of China (TAC) launched a series of rich and colorful public activities in late September 2006, which have drawn wide attention from the media and have effectively increased the visibility of the translation profession.

The XVIII Han Suyin Award for Young Translators

The awarding ceremony of the XVIII Han Suyin Award for Young Translators was held in Shanghai on September 22, 2006. This year’s Han Suyin Award for Young Translators was co-organized by Translators Association of China and the Graduate School of Shanghai International Studies University.

The translation competition has won support from university teachers and students as well as people of different professions. Participants came from all around China, including Hong Kong and Macao. A total number of 793 pieces of translation work were submitted, 45 of which were awarded.

The Han Suyin Award for Young Translators, originally launched in 1989 by Chinese Translators Journal – a bimonthly publication of TAC, has now become the most influential translation competition with the largest number of participants in China’s translation circles. This year’s awarding ceremony, as part of the International Translation Day celebration, has been widely reported by the media.

The First Meeting for the Promotion and Implementation of the National Standards on the Translation Industry

The first meeting for the Promotion and Implementation of the National Standards on the Translation Industry, co-sponsored by Translators Association of China (TAC) and China Association for Standardization(CAS), was held in Jinan city, Shandong Province on September 22-23, 2006. General managers from some 50 translation companies throughout China attended the meeting.

On this meeting, leaders and specialists from TAC, CAS and the State Administration for Industry & Commerce (SAIC) explained in detail the two national standard on translation-- “Specification for Translation Service: part 1 Translation” and “Target text quality requirements for translation services”, as well as relevant specifications in the Law of Corporation and Law of Contract. Their concrete suggestions and feasible measures were warmly welcomed by the participants.

The First Networking of TAC Members & Public Lectures on Translation

The first “Networking of TAC Members & Public Lectures on Translation by Renowned Translators” sponsored by TAC, was held in Disanji Bookstore, Beijing, on September 23. More than 70 individual members and some 100 university students and people interested in translation attended the lecture.
With wit and humor, Ms. Shi Yanhua, Executive Vice President of TAC and former Chinese ambassador to Luxembourg, told her own story “from an interpreter to a diplomat”; another lecturer, Ms. Ren Jisheng, Executive Vice President of TAC and former Associate Editor-in-chief of People’s Literature Publishing House shared her rich experience in foreign literature translation. After that, the audience asked a number of questions to which the two senior translators provided brilliant answers.

This is the first of a series of public lectures on translation to be offered by TAC. TAC members also had the opportunity to network with each other during the supper following the lecture.

Commendation of Senior Translators

Translators Association of China held a half-day meeting on September 26, commending senior translators and interpreters. Dr. Ji Xianlin, the famous Chinese scholar, educator and translator, Honorary President of TAC, was conferred the honor of “Lifetime Award for Achievements Made in Translation & Culture”. Being the first person to receive such an honor, Dr. Ji Xianlin, former professor of Beijing University, celebrated his 95 birthday in August, and Premier Wen Jiabao went in person to congratulate him on this special occasion.

239 translators and interpreters who had work for decades in the field of translation and have made outstanding achievements received the honorary title. TAC started to commend senior translators in 2001. So far, over 800 translators and interpreters working in the fields of diplomacy, international communication, social science, literature and ethnic languages in 15 language combinations have been awarded.

Launching Ceremony of A Series of Events for Young Translators Working at Government Departments

The launching ceremony of a series of events for young translators working at government departments was held by TAC in Beijing on September 28, 2006. Leaders of the related ministries and departments and representatives of young translators attended this ceremony.
Young translators and interpreters working at various government departments are an important group who play very important roles in promoting China’s international communication. Due to their busy work schedule, they seldom have the chance to communicate with their colleagues outside their departments. TAC, with the support of the Youth League in those departments, plan to hold a series of events to help these young T.&I. to share knowledge, improve professional skills in translation and network with each other. These events include regular discussion of problem in translation ( based on language groups), a translation contest and a Talent Show.
Right after the ceremony, Mr. Zhang Jianmin, associate director of the Translation Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs gave a lecture on how to improve translation skills in the diplomatic field, which won a storm of applause after each break.