在AI時代，很多行業(yè)都面臨著重塑甚至顛覆。那么，就翻譯這一行業(yè)來說，新技術(shù)的誕生是否意味著人工翻譯的終結(jié)？我們還有必要學(xué)習(xí)外語嗎？相比于機(jī)器翻譯，人類翻譯又有哪些獨到之處呢？昨日（11月9日），新中國翻譯事業(yè)70年論壇暨2019中國翻譯協(xié)會年會在北京開幕，國際譯聯(lián)主席凱文·夸克（Kevin Quirk）在開幕式致辭中就這些問題作了深入探討。小百通特將其發(fā)言編譯出來，推送給大家。
中國翻譯協(xié)會是國際譯聯(lián)中的
“重量級成員”
國際譯聯(lián)（FIT）已經(jīng)同世界上130多個翻譯協(xié)會建立了良好的交流和合作。我們代表了這個行業(yè)的8.5萬余名杰出翻譯。
FIT -The International Federation of Translators – gathers together some 130 associations of translators, terminologists and interpreters from around the world, representing around 85,000 of the best professionals in our industry.
作為眾多翻譯協(xié)會的國際聯(lián)合組織，我們當(dāng)中有很多大的成員單位，包括美國譯聯(lián)（ATA）、法國譯協(xié)（SFT）、英國翻譯研究會（ITI）、德國譯協(xié)（BDü）。
As a Federation of translators' associations, we include among our members some of the largest associations in the world, including ATA in the USA, SFT in France, ITI in the UK, BDü in Germany.
當(dāng)然，還有中國翻譯協(xié)會（TAC）。它是所有協(xié)會成員中體量最大的組織，是名副其實的最重量級的成員。
Of course, Translators Association of China (TAC), the biggest of them all. A veritable powerhouse among translators' associations.
無論規(guī)模大小，國際譯聯(lián)的每個成員都有其獨特之處和專研領(lǐng)域。他們所代表的不同文化和語言也形成了國際譯聯(lián)的多元性。
Each of these associations – from the largest to the smallest – has its own special characteristics, peculiarities and areas of focus. In sum then they are, in other words, as diverse as the cultures and the languages they represent.
國際譯聯(lián)的成員協(xié)會所屬的每個會員都有一個共同點——致力于翻譯行業(yè)。即，每一位成員都是專業(yè)人士，致力于提供高質(zhì)量的翻譯、術(shù)語或口譯服務(wù)。
What each of our members have in common, however, is a commitment to the profession. That is, every one of them – and you yourselves – are all professionals who provide high quality translation, terminology or interpreting services.
世界上所有翻譯
都具備四大共性
通過近年來我在世界各地所到之處與許多筆譯、口譯工作者以及術(shù)語專家的接觸和會談，我得出以下四點關(guān)于翻譯工作者特征的觀察或者論斷，亦或是事實。
From my travels around the world in recent years and from speaking and meeting with translators, terminologists and interpreters in a wide range of countries, I feel qualified to make the following four observations or claims, or even undeniable facts – truths about translators.
我認(rèn)為，這些是世界上所有的翻譯所具備的共同特點。正是這些特征才使得我們?nèi)祟惙g工作者能夠聯(lián)合起來。
These traits, I believe, are common to translators throughout the world and they are characteristics that I believe essentially unite us as human translators.
第一，翻譯對語言的熱愛超過了常人。
1. Translators possess an above-average love of language.
第二，翻譯使用新技術(shù)的意愿要比常人更強(qiáng)烈（在搜索引擎出現(xiàn)之前，我們自己常常就是搜索引擎）。
2. Translators show an above-average willingness to adopt and embrace new technology(We were Baidu before Baidu even existed).
第三，翻譯擁有超過常人的智商。
3. Translators are of above-average intelligence.
第四，翻譯的美超過了常人。
4. Translators are of above-average beauty.
當(dāng)然，我在這里所說的美是指內(nèi)在美。它反映了你對語言的超常熱愛，對使用新技術(shù)的更強(qiáng)意愿，以及更高的智力水平。當(dāng)我環(huán)顧會場四周，我可以說我的第四點論斷，這也是最具爭議的論斷，并沒有錯。
By beauty here, I mean, an inner beauty reflecting your above-average love of language, your above-average willingness to adapt to new technology and your above-average intelligence, but as I look around the room, I can also say that I am not wrong about my fourth (most contentious) claim either.
新中國翻譯事業(yè)70年：
反映中國70年發(fā)展
我每次參加中國譯協(xié)大會的時候，精心制定的會議主題都給我留下了深刻的印象。今年的主題是“新中國翻譯事業(yè)70年”，這確實是一個非常合適的主題，能夠反映出中華人民共和國70年的發(fā)展。
Every time I have attended the TAC Conference, I have been impressed by the themes you have chosen for your conferences, and this year's theme – Translation in China – 70 Years of Development – is indeed no exception, mirroring as it does 70 years of development of the People's Republic of China.
因此，我建議大家去參觀一下“新中國翻譯事業(yè)70年掠影圖片展”。這個圖片展非常生動地展示了過去70年中國翻譯事業(yè)取得的巨大成就。
In this respect, I urge you all to take time to view the newly opened Photo Exhibition on 70 Years of Translation Work in China, as it provides a visual representation of the way in which translation work has developed in China over the years.
在我看來，中國譯協(xié)在積極促進(jìn)中國翻譯事業(yè)發(fā)展方面所取得的成就值得我們致以最崇高的敬意。
In my opinion, what TAC is achieving here in terms of development of the translating profession deserves our utmost respect.
中國譯協(xié)在國際譯聯(lián)中常常發(fā)揮關(guān)鍵作用。從我最早的記憶起，中國譯協(xié)在國際譯聯(lián)的最高機(jī)構(gòu)理事會中就有代表席位。
TAC has always played a key role within FIT, and for as long as I can remember, TAC has always had a representative on FIT Council, FIT's supreme body between Congresses.
我要感謝中國譯協(xié)為建立國際譯聯(lián)亞洲區(qū)域中心所給予的大力支持。這已經(jīng)成為我在擔(dān)任主席期間個人非常大的心愿。
I am particularly indebted to TAC for their strong support in helping develop and create a FIT Asia Regional Centre, which has been one of my personal ambitions during my presidency.
我希望亞洲區(qū)域中心的建立能填補(bǔ)我們在亞洲的空白。這也是繼現(xiàn)有的歐洲、北美和拉丁美洲區(qū)域中心之后，國際譯聯(lián)又一個重要的區(qū)域中心。
Very shortly, I hope FIT will be able to present news of the establishment of such a regional centre – to complement our existing centres in Europe, North America and Latin America.
翻譯的未來會怎樣？
我愿意用剩下的時間談?wù)勀切ξ覀兊穆殬I(yè)來說可以稱之為威脅（的確是巨大威脅）的事物，即機(jī)器翻譯、神經(jīng)機(jī)器翻譯以及人工智能。
I would like to use the rest of my allotted time to say a few words about something that has been perceived by some as a threat – indeed, a great threat – to our profession, namely machine translation, neural machine translation and artificial intelligence.
我知道許多有志成為翻譯工作者的年輕人都十分關(guān)心的一個問題是：新技術(shù)的誕生是否意味著人工翻譯的終結(jié)？正如一些專家所高調(diào)宣稱的那樣。
I know that one pertinent question being asked by many young people who may be interested in becoming a translator or an interpreter is: Will the introduction of new technologies herald the imminent death of the human translator, as some pundits have glibly claimed?
兩年前，我主持召開過一個由歐盟委員會翻譯總干事所安排的研討會。會議的主題就是：機(jī)器翻譯對譯者意味著什么？
Two years ago I moderated a panel discussion arranged by the Director General of Translation in the European Commission on what machine translation will mean for translators.
作為這個研討會上唯一的翻譯從業(yè)者，我從其他與會的學(xué)者和技術(shù)專家那里得知，五年后將不再需要人類翻譯了。
As the only practitioner – the only practising translator on the panel – I was reliably informed, in no uncertain words, by the other panelists – scholars and technologists – that within five years there would no longer be a need for human translators.
事實上，他們甚至告訴我要為那些即將完全被機(jī)器取代的翻譯工作者們找到一個新的名稱。
In fact, I was even told we would need to find a new name for the work carried out by humans as the role of translator would be taken over completely by machines.
這些權(quán)威人士還為翻譯工作者們提供了幾個名稱供選擇，例如審讀者、校訂者、譯后編輯、機(jī)器翻譯老師，甚至“清潔者”。
Several names were offered by those same pundits for the new role for humans employed in the translation process, including reviewer, reviser, post-editor, machine translation teacher and even cleaner.
我很明確地說，我不會把自己稱為“國際清潔者聯(lián)合會主席”。
I made it quite clear, however, that I had no intention of ever calling myself President of the International Federation of Cleaners.
此事已經(jīng)過去了兩年，盡管技術(shù)發(fā)展的腳步很快。但萬幸的是，我們還在這里。
Well, a couple of years have passed since then and even though the pace of technological development is very fast, we are still here, thankfully, and for a very good reason.
我想，這里有很多炒作的成分，但我還是充滿了希望。
I think it is fair to say there is a lot of hype out there, but in my mind there is also a lot of hope.
不是希望翻譯很快消失，不是希望翻譯被機(jī)器所取代。而是希望機(jī)器翻譯能夠承擔(dān)更多的翻譯工作，同時，世界能夠?qū)π碌奈幕ㄩ_懷抱。
Not hope that translators will soon disappear and be replaced completely by automated translation and interpretation for that matter. Rather, there is hope in that machine translation appears to produce more translations and at the same time to open up the world to new cultures.
此外，有明確跡象表明，只要翻譯工作者能夠提供高質(zhì)量的專業(yè)語言服務(wù)，那么對熟練人工翻譯的需求將會更大。
Furthermore, there are clear indications that there is more work out there for skilled human translators, as long as they continue to provide high-quality professional language services.
我建議大家不斷精益求精。要廣泛地閱讀，不斷地提高水平。努力讓自己做到最好！
I urge you all to excel at what you do. Read widely and improve at all times! Be the best you can at what you do!
我要在此重申，翻譯工作者們已經(jīng)具有很強(qiáng)的適應(yīng)性，他們是杰出的翻譯，在未來的許多年里都不會被機(jī)器所取代。
I would like to reiterate here though that human translators, who we have already established are highly adaptable, are truly brilliant and will not be replaced for many, many years to come.
最后，我們要認(rèn)識到人工翻譯是一項偉大的工作。
Finally, it is essential that we continue to recognise the great work human translators do.
去年，中國譯協(xié)請國際譯聯(lián)為舉辦韓素音國際翻譯大賽提供支持。今年我很高興國際譯聯(lián)將參與大賽的頒獎儀式。
Last year, I was honoured when TAC asked FIT to support the Han Suyin International Translation Contest, and this year I am very happy that FIT will also be involved in the award ceremony later today.
在我看來，這樣的大賽非常重要，讓我們能夠認(rèn)識到我們這個領(lǐng)域的佼佼者。我認(rèn)為，讓翻譯工作者認(rèn)識到自身所從事的是一項偉大的工作也是翻譯協(xié)會的職責(zé)所在。
In my opinion, such contests are important as we recognise the best of the best in our field. And I consider recognition and acknowledgement of the brilliant work we do as human translators a highly important part of a translators associations's work.
我愿意用我作的一首詩來結(jié)束此次發(fā)言。我用這首詩來贊美來自中國譯協(xié)的翻譯工作者們。
I would like toend on another self-composed – and mediocre at best –poem in praise of you – the translators and interpreters from TAC.
我要向今天的同聲傳譯工作者們表達(dá)歉意和感謝。抱歉我在發(fā)言的結(jié)尾給了你們一個難題，但我知道，你們都是優(yōu)秀的翻譯，一定沒問題！
I would like to apologise and thank the brilliant interpreters in the booths! Thank you, I am sorry to throw this at you – all very last minute – but I know you –as brilliant human translators and interpreters – will manage!
致中國譯協(xié)譯者的贊美詩
Poem in praise oftranslators and interpreters from TAC
On this most momentous day
Let bells peal and flagpoles sway.
Let's raise our gazes and sing the praises
Of the people of TAC in every way.
For you are the ones who make thousands of choices
While lending your readers your very clear voices
Reflecting the cadence and the tone
Of utterances soppy or dry to the bone.
Whether it's text or speech, you do your best
Ask any one of us; it's always a test
Of your envious strengths as you work your magic
On texts highly serious or even most tragic.
Whether connecting nations
Or fostering peace,
You create understanding
You're truly outstanding!
You deserve to be praised
You deserve to be proud!
You deserve a poem to be read out loud!
來源 / 國際譯聯(lián)主席凱文·夸克（Kevin Quirk）在新中國翻譯事業(yè)70年論壇暨2019中國翻譯協(xié)會年會上的致辭
翻譯整理 / 白石
編輯 / 寧靜
