FIT (Fédération Internationale des Traducteurs/International Federation of Translators) is an international federation of associations of translators, interpreters and terminologists. More than 120 professional associations are affiliated, representing over 80 000 translators in 60 countries.
The goal of the Federation is to promote professionalism in the disciplines it represents. It seeks constantly to improve conditions for the profession in all countries and to uphold translators' rights and freedom of expression.
The Recommendation for the Protection and Improvement of the Legal and Social Status of Translations and Translators, adopted by UNESCO in 1976 at its general conference in Nairobi, marked a milestone in the history of the translating profession. The Translator's Charter, revised in 1994, specifies the rights and duties of translators and recommends the principles of their organisation into associations. FIT is pleased with the significant progress made in defense of the profession since its foundation, but will continue to play its vital role in overcoming linguistic boundaries and thus maintaining good communication and understanding between the peoples of the world.
The objectives of FIT are:
to link and bring together existing associations of translators, interpreters and terminologists
to encourage and facilitate the formation of such associations in countries where they do not already exist
to provide member associations with information about conditions of work, technological tools, initial and ongoing training, and all questions useful to the profession
to develop and maintain, among all member associations, good relations that serve the interests of translators
to uphold the moral and material rights of translators throughout the world.
to promote the recognition of the professions of translator, interpreter and terminologist, enhance the status of translators in society, and promote translation as a science and an art.