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The FIT Sixth Asian Translators’ Forum, co-organized by the Federation of Translators and Interpreters of Macau and the University of Macau, was held at the University of Macau from 6 Nov. to 8 Nov. 2010. The theme of the Forum “Translation and Intercultural Communication: Past, Present and Future” was addressed in eight subthemes: (1) translation and cross-cultural studies, (2) translation history and culture in Macao and Asia, (3) tourism translation and media translation, (4) diplomatic translation and interpreting, (5) business and legal translation and interpreting, (6) literary translation, (7) translation teaching and translator training, and (8) Translation technology and publishing.
The Forum attracted 318 participants from Asia, Europe, Australia, North America, South America and South Africa. There were nearly 300 papers submitted for the Forum, which staged 28 parallel sessions, 6 keynote speeches, 2 translation salons and 3 round table discussions.
Ms. Marion Beors, President of FIT, gave a speech at the opening ceremony. Three keynote speakers, Mr. Huang Youyi, Prof. Christina Schäffner and Prof. Bao Chuanyun brought forth key issues in translator/interpreter training in the contexts of China, the EU and the US. The other keynote speakers covered translation issues from past, present and future. Dr. Wu Zhiliang reviewed translation history in Macao and examined the social roles the translators and interpreters played in history; Prof. Martha Cheung cast new insights on translation as intercultural communication from the views of Chinese discourse; Prof. Sun Yifeng deconstructed the old but fascinating concepts of translatability and untranslatability.
The two translation salons attracted a lot of young translators and young researchers. Salon I featured a lively dialogue between young translators and Madam Tang Wensheng (the main English interpreter for the late Chairman Mao Zedong, Premier Zhou Enlai, Vice-Premier Deng Xiaoping at major diplomatic events) and Mr. Zhu Yinghuang (the former editor-in-chief of China Daily). Salon II gave young scholars opportunities to raise questions and hear opinions from a number of renowned scholars on research and publication. The conference programme had a good balance between the interests of translation practitioners and researchers.
The Asian Translators’ Forum is held every three years under the auspices of FIT. It has become one of the most important events in the Asian regional translation community. A special arrangement was made in this year’s Forum – the FIT Executive Committee meeting was held from 4 Nov. to 5 Nov. in Macao so that all committee members were able to attend the Forum. Dr. Peter Krawutschke, the former President of FIT, honoured the Forum by his presence and his chairing of one of the keynote sessions.
