Beijing holds int'l translation and interpreting contest

Contestants in consecutive interpreting in the final round of the 5th International Translation and Interpreting Competition held at the Beijing Language and Culture University on the evening of April 7. [Photo provided to China Daily]

The 5th International Translation and Interpreting Competition held the final round of its interpreting component at the Beijing Language and Culture University on the evening of April 7.

This year's competition, which started in December 2015, had a record-high 9,735 students and social translators and interpreters from more than 10 countries and regions competing in the written and verbal sections.

Yan Zihao, a student from Renmin University of China, gave a wonderful English/Chinese interpretation performance on stage and triumphed over five other contestants in the final round.

Award ceremony of the 5th International Translation and Interpreting Competition, on April 7. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Award ceremony of the 5th International Translation and Interpreting Competition, on April 7. [Photo provided to China Daily]

"As globalization becomes increasingly in-depth, translation serves as the bridge for exchange and communication among countries in political, economic, and cultural areas," said Wang Luxin, deputy Party secretary of Beijing Language and Culture University, adding that the competition provides a platform for university students as well as translators and interpreters to demonstrate their skills and learn from each other.

With the theme of China in a Multicultural World, the contest highlighted cultural communication in international interpretation. As Gail Zohar, a speaker at the competition and the host of Radio 774, a Beijing foreign language broadcast channel, said, the hard work of international interpreters is basically reduced by half if the interpreter understands the cultural background of the event for which he/she is interpreting.

Wei Zhengang, a judge and a senior interpreter, commented on the performance of contestants by saying, "Listening correctly is extremely important for interpreters, otherwise the interpretation can be nothing but failure. Listening carefully can help the interpreters know what information should be highlighted".

The Beijing Language and Culture University competition started in 2011 to promote the role of translation and interpretation in enhancing communication and cooperation among all the countries of the world.