Jiaxing event enhances translation services ahead of baseball tournament

Translation professionals and international volunteers pose for a group photo in Xujiadai village, Jiaxing. [Photo/WeChat account: gh_dce4a5933cde]

A cross-cultural exchange event for translation professionals was held in Xujiadai village, Jiaxing, East China's Zhejiang province, on April 10. The event focused on language services and improving foreign-language signage ahead of the upcoming Pony Asia-Pacific Zone Championships.

The activity combined on-site interpretation, international volunteer participation, and practical discussions on cross-cultural communication. Local representatives introduced the village in Chinese, while translators provided real-time interpretation and interacted with overseas volunteers to explore how best to adapt content and delivery for international audiences.

This was followed by a seminar on optimizing foreign-language signage, during which participants reviewed the village's existing English and Japanese signs. Discussions centered on accuracy, readability, and cultural appropriateness, leading to proposed revisions aimed at improving clarity and usability for international visitors.

Participants noted that translation in public spaces requires more than literal accuracy. Wei Yijia, one of the translation professionals, emphasized that effective translation depends on a deep understanding of cultural context, citing examples where direct wording may not align with international expectations, particularly in sports settings.

The event is part of Jiaxing's ongoing efforts to strengthen its translation capacity and enhance international communication. By integrating language services into sports event preparation, the event aims to improve the overall experience for overseas participants and visitors.