On May 26, 2023, AIIC Vega Network organised an outreach event in Guangzhou, China. The event, which was held at the Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, was the first in-person Vega event in China and (GDUFS) and saw over 100 participants.
Professor Weiwei Wang, vice-dean of the School of Translation and Interpreting Studies,
moderated the event. Leo Liu, the global coordinator of Vega Network, and two guest speakers, Hong Jiang, vice-chair of CACL, and Grace Song, an AIIC Member based in Hong Kong, spoke at the event.
The event lasted two and a half hours and was held in two sessions. In the first session, the focus was on the application of technology in professional interpreting. The speakers discussed topics such as the use of new translation technologies, preparation for the interpreting profession in the new era, and the career growth of interpreters. They emphasised the importance of adapting to new work formats and acquiring technological skills.
Like other Vega outreach events, the second session aimed to introduce best practices in conference interpreting and provide information on the requirements and procedures for joining AIIC.
Leo talked about the role of AIIC, the work of Vega, and best practices in conference interpreting. Hong presented the AIIC application procedures and some valuable tips for joining AIIC for interpreters with Chinese as their A language. Grace shared her experience in AIIC activities, becoming a pre-candidate and finally a full member.
During the Q&A session, the speakers discussed the pressures and challenges posed by technological advancements. They encouraged interpreters to focus on their specific tasks, understand the capabilities of AI, and continue honing their skills in the face of evolving technology.
The event was well-received, with active participation from students and fruitful discussions on various topics related to the interpreting profession. The speakers encouraged young interpreters to embrace technology, focus on skill development, and seize the opportunities presented by the evolving interpreting market. In the end, Leo reaffirmed AIIC’s commitment to supporting interpreting students and young colleagues in China throughout their journey so they “will never walk alone”.