China.org.cn: The media should serve as a middleman between different cultures, but in many cases, the media play a misleading role. What do you think about this?

Guo Xiaoyong: I have noticed that some media fail to promote mutual understanding, but rather serve to provoke rifts. There are a number of reasons for this – for example, one culture holding discriminatory or prejudiced views against another culture. Generally, a lack of mutual understanding results in the scourge of conflict. Such a lack often stems from the fact that one cannot understand the other’s language. And this can provoke wide discrepancies between what is fact and what is reported. For any foreign journalists looking to document the truth in the country where they are stationed, knowing the local culture and language should be a top priority.

China.org.cn: What is the significance of translation between non-English languages against the backdrop of globalization? And can you talk about Chinese correspondents?

Guo Xiaoyong: People tend to think that all international exchanges are carried out in English. And in interviews with educated people, you can generally get by with English. But when talking to the average person, their local language is preferable.  According to the biblical account, the Tower of Babel was located in what is now Iraq. As I delved into Arabic, I acquired a better understanding of the legend, which revealed to me much about the need to respect diversity of culture. The experiences I talked about earlier show that communication in the local language is of much significance, given the diversity of culture around the world.

Over the last decade, China has produced an abundance of excellent journalists. A number of them are also good translators. During the early days of the People’s Republic of China, many correspondents couldn’t understand foreign languages, so they had to take a translator in tow when they interviewed someone. Now, more and more Chinese correspondents are well-versed in both English and the language of the country they are stationed in. You see, a world of difference from the past.

China.org.cn: What do you hope for from the FIT World Congress to be held in Shanghai?

Guo Xiaoyong: The Translation Association of China acts as a guild in this field. Many media workers are affiliate members of the TAC. The FIT World Congress is a platform that we hope will provide our members with opportunities to communicate with their foreign peers. We hope the congress will be fruitful in making a contribution to the prosperity of international translation.

(China.org.cn July 1, 2008)