想象一下：如果世界上沒有翻譯工作者，我們將如何相互溝通？面對全球近7000種語言，貿易和文化交流將無法開展，國家首腦不能對話，科學發現難以分享，書籍僅限作者語言，跨境貿易趨于中斷，重頭新聞受眾有限，奧運會不可能舉辦，身處困境的國家也無法獲得他國支援。

國際譯聯會員組織所代表的專業口筆譯工作者和術語學家在不同文化之間架設橋梁，促進溝通，從而創造了繁榮的經濟和豐富的文化。他們是促進相互了解的和平使者；他們將本國文學介紹給全世界；他們促成災區的國際援助；他們傳遞政治、宗教、文化領袖以及所有其他具有影響力人物的聲音；他們是信息守衛者，是文化使節。他們絕對不可或缺。

正是由于有口筆譯工作者和術語學家，世界各國人民才得以在維護自身文化遺產的同時積極參與創建“地球村”。文化多樣性讓世界更加美好，但是我們必須相互了解，才能避免國際沖突，并在患難時刻互幫互助。我們必須相互了解，尊重文化差異。“溝通文化”（Bridging Cultures）是今年第19屆世界翻譯大會和國際翻譯日共同的主題，也是國際譯聯所有會員組織的終極目標。

國際譯聯鼓勵其會員組織開展多種多樣的活動慶祝國際翻譯日，例如，突顯協會內部所代表的不同文化，舉辦講座介紹翻譯過程中所面臨的文化適應性挑戰，探討口筆譯工作者和術語學家在國際事件中發揮的作用等。如此，一來可使公眾進一步認識到口筆譯工作者和術語學家的重要作用，二來也給予了從業者一個慶祝所從事職業的機會。殊途同歸，讓我們同慶9月30日！

國際譯聯是職業口筆譯和術語工作者協會的國際聯盟，擁有來自55個國家的100余家會員組織，代表著近10萬名語言專業工作者的利益。更多有關國際譯聯的信息參見國際譯聯網站。

（翻譯：付蕾，審定：黃長奇）

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附：英文原文（文/國際譯聯副主席優瑞博士） 

Imagine a world without translators: How would we communicate with each other? With nearly 7,000 languages spoken around the globe, trade and cultural exchange would be impossible. Leaders of nations could not talk to each other. Scientific discoveries could not be shared. Books could be read only by those who speak the author’s language. Cross-border traffic would come to a halt. Breaking news would reach only a select few. The Olympic Games could not be held. Nations in distress would not receive assistance from more fortunate ones.

The professional translators, interpreters and terminologists represented by FIT member associations build bridges between cultures and facilitate communication that creates prosperity and cultural enrichment. They are brokers of peace and mutual understanding. They open national literatures to the world. They make international assistance in disaster areas possible. They are the voice of politicians, religious and intellectual leaders, and all other people who influence our daily lives. They are gatekeepers of information. They are cultural ambassadors. They are absolutely indispensable.

Thanks to translators, interpreters and terminologists, peoples around the world can preserve their cultural heritage while being active participants in the “global village”. Cultural diversity makes our world a better place, but we have to understand each other in order to avoid international conflicts and to help each other in times of need. We have to understand each other to appreciate our cultural differences. Bridging Cultures is the theme of both this year’s XIX FIT World Congress and International Translation Day 2011, and the ultimate objective of all FIT member associations.

Member associations are encouraged to mark ITD through activities that raise awareness among the public of this important function of translators, interpreters and terminologists as well as giving practitioners the opportunity to celebrate their craft. This might be by highlighting the different cultures represented within the association, presentations on the challenges of cultural adaptation when translating, or considering the role of translators, interpreters and terminologists in world events, as just a few examples. However you do it, make 30 September a day of celebration!

(Text: Dr Jiri Stejskal)