Ｔｒａｎｓｌａｔｉｎｇ－Ａ　Ｖｉｔａｌ　Ｈｉｓｔｏｒｉｃａｌ　Ｍｉｓｓｉｏｎ.docVIP

Ｔｒａｎｓｌａｔｉｎｇ－Ａ　Ｖｉｔａｌ　Ｈｉｓｔｏｒｉｃａｌ　Ｍｉｓｓｉｏｎ 　　 　　WITH globalization developing apace, translation services around the world are more vital than ever. Accurate translations are crucial in facilitating effective communication, cultural exchanges, and understanding between nations and cultures. On the eve of the 2008 Beijing Olympics in August, the 18th World Congress of the International Federation of Translators (FIT) will take place in China’s most international city, Shanghai. The triennial event promises to be a grand festive gathering for language and cultural exchange professionals from around the world. 　　 　　Celebrating and Preserving Humankind’s Linguistic Heritage 　　 　　The Translators Association of China (TAC) joined the FIT in 1987. Although not long in the FIT family, China won the honor of hosting the 18th World Congress, and two Chinese translators have been elected members of the FIT’s 17-seat council. One of this pair became the organization’s vice president ?C the first time in the FIT’s history a Chinese national has held this post. “China’s unanimously approved selection as the host country for the 18th World Congress of the FIT is a mark not only of China’s great significance to the organization, but also China’s importance in the progress of translation services worldwide,” commented FIT President Peter Krawutschke in his congratulatory speech. 　　Reflecting the attention being given to cultural diversity globally, the theme of the FIT’s 18th World Congress is “Translation and Cultural Diversity.” The theme also highlights the significant role translation work plays in maintaining a diversified cultural spectrum. Presently, approximately 6,800 languages are still alive worldwide; of these around one-third have written forms. In the world’s most populous country of China, there are 73 languages in use. The most extensively employed, Mandarin or putonghua, has seven major dialects and over 100 sub-forms. The world’s multiplicity of languages is a k