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Here's something you probably don't know – the world's tallest living man is Chinese. Xi Shun, a 7'10 (2.38 m) giant, is a former herdsman from Inner Mongolia who had only once previously stepped foot out of his homeland.

Xi visited London in mid-September courtesy of Guinness World Records, and appeared on prime time TV shows such as Richard and Judy and London Tonight, even though he didn't speak a word of English.

To make sure he wasn't at a loss for words, Guinness World Records called upon the expertise of Asian Absolute, a leading provider of Asian-language translation and interpreting services, to ease the communication process during their hectic week with the press.

Asian Absolute's interpreter, a mere 5'2 (1.57 m) tall, took on the rather unusual assignment of interpreting for him with some trepidation. "I was worried I might sprain my neck just trying to talk to him", she explained afterwards.

But the week-long visit turned out to be one of the high points of her busy year. She sometimes felt like she was chaperoning this rather shy, simple man as she accompanied him to provide language and cultural help on his visits to Richard and Judy and London Tonight, as well as for interviews for Metro, The Sun and The Times.

She got to know the gentle giant well over the week – he is a celebrity in China since he has entered the Guinness World Records, a far cry from when he was forced to live as a recluse after fellow villagers jeered and ridiculed him for his abnormal height.

Born into a very poor farming family, Xi received only a primary school education before starting work as a herdsman. By the time he was 16, Mao Zedong's Cultural Revolution was at its height, and food became scarce. But despite the lack of nutrition, he mysteriously began to grow at a phenomenal rate. Several decades were to pass before his name reached beyond his hometown, and his fame began to spread.

Now, at the age of 55 and discovered by Guinness World Records, Xi finds himself a focus of attention in a nation that bestows hero status upon any citizen who achieves international recognition. He appears rather bemused by his newfound fame, however, although it has brought him a financial security he has never known before.

The week turned out to be a success all around, and nothing was lost in translation thanks to the interpreter - as the Brand Manager at Guinness World Records commented, "The interpreter was fantastic - a real life-saver."

The experience was also refreshing for Asian Absolute - although the company provides Asian language translation and localization services to a wide variety of clients, blue chip corporates account for the majority of assignments. Interpreting for the world's tallest man gave the company the opportunity to demonstrate that it has the capabilities to help any client, in any situation, no matter how unusual!

30 September 2005

For further information and supporting photos, please contact press@asianabsolute.co.uk

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