University scores with translation contest

The final round of the Fourth International Translation and Interpreting Competition was held at Beijing Language and Culture University on Wednesday evening.

The latest contest, which started in December 2014, attracted 6,130 students from more than 10 countries and regions to compete.

Players competed in written and verbal sections.

Cross-cultural communication is at the core of translation, said Wang Luxin, vice-president of Beijing Language and Culture University, adding that translators are crucial in the field.

Translator positions are popular in China and many universities offer translation programs. But qualified translators are still in short supply, said Ma Huijuan, a professor of translation studies at Beijing Foreign Studies University.

“English interpretation requires unique and professional training ... Someone who can speak and write in English doesn't necessarily know translation work," Ma said.

Beijing Language and Culture University’s translation competition started in 2011. It aims to encourage students to take up translation work and seek potential qualified translators.