International Translation Day

In this article, we are going to talk about the International Day of Translation which is celebrated every year on the 30th of September.

What Is The International Translation Day?

“Translation is not a matter of words only: it is a matter of making intelligible a whole culture.” – Anthony Burgess

International Translation Day is celebrated on September 30 every year to commemorate translators’ work in the language field. Translators play an essential role in ensuring a dialogue between countries that contribute to the growth and strengthen world peace.

Translators play an important role in enhancing effective communication between people from different regions. We live in a globalized world, but language barriers curb effective communication. To convey your idea to a person living in another part of the world, it’s imperative that you talk in the native language. Now it’s very difficult for a person to learn a new language just to greet someone. Hence, translators jump in to bridge such gaps.

Before we jump into the Importance of this day, let’s discuss the history of International translation day.

A Brief Overview of The History of The International Translation Day

Since the U.N.’s beginning, translators have played an essential role in bringing all nations onto a single platform. To achieve sustainable development, the UN believes, it is imperative to appreciate different civilizations and unique cultures.

The U.N. perceives the efforts of proficient translators as an artistic expression and exchange. Translators submit to the Sanction of the UN and merit worldwide acknowledgment. Embracing the goal of the UN General Gathering on May 24, 2017, September 30 is perceived as the UN International Translation Day. This day’s motivation is to praise the commitment of language specialists to advancing harmony, advancement, and kinship between semantically particular nations.

International Translation Day also coincides with the celebration of St. Jerome, a scholar, and priest who is believed to have been the very first translator of the Bible. In the past, thousands of years ago, St. Jerome set out on an adventure for the translation of the Bible. St. Jerome is called the patron saint of translators because of his efforts in making the Bible available to a larger audience.

We observe International Translation Day by reminding people about the importance of professional translation and paying attention to this fact: the merging of languages shows that the unity of the world resulted from diversity.

Why It Is Important To Celebrate The International Translation Day?

“Translation is that which transforms everything so that nothing changes.” – Günter Grass

There are plenty of things to be grateful to professionals who are translators or interpreters. With the advent of technology, which has decreased physical borders, Language specialists have made connections between people from different cultures and countries.

Translators are worthy of recognition since they can make this happen regardless of barriers to communication in terms of language and culture.

But, most times, translators are a backstage presence, particularly when involved in technical and commercial translation projects. Although they are essential in overcoming communication obstacles, they don’t receive the respect they need.

If you are reading a user guide or the instructions on a box of medicine, but you do not think about the person who spent countless days searching for the correct combination of words to ensure you have everything you require. However, without their precision and attention to detail, daily tasks would be complex for us.

In this scenario, the importance of Translation day becomes even more prominent. We have shortlisted some aspects which promulgate the notion of celebrating translators worldwide.

●    Translators Make the World Go Round

The years 2017-2021 were the most successful for this industry. The world sector of language services earned revenue in the range of $46.52 billion. Every day, thousands of linguists and language experts offer services for interpreting, translating, and localization services for both private and commercial clients.

It’s among the industries that are growing in the present, thanks to the increasing demand for services in the language field across the world. Businesses are looking to expand beyond the borders of their own countries, and NGOs are looking to establish a global presence in government agencies, as well as travelers between countries.

Everyone needs translators and interpreters to break down the language barrier, to develop and prosper in a globalized world where effective communication has become the key to success.

Translators aid businesses of all kinds connect with their local audience in the native language of their target audience. Non-profits and businesses can connect with their audience and strengthen their positions in each regional market they visit.

●    Translators Contribute to Making Our World A Better Place

“If the translator does his job as he should, he is a benefactor of humanity; otherwise he is a veritable public enemy.” – Miguel Sanz

Besides their crucial importance in the growth of the global economy, professional translators also contribute to improving the world in various ways. As of May 2017, for instance, the United Nations acknowledged that language service providers connect nations, facilitate dialogue between countries, and aid in world peace.

As part of the UN Resolution, which establishes the International Translation Day on September 30th, the organization calls on state members to educate themselves on the importance of skilled translators and interpreters in today’s world.

●    Translators Deserve Recognition Because They Help People Progress

Technical translators are employed in industries that require 100% accuracy, like high-tech medical and science. They translate research findings, medical notes, studies, and journals, allowing specialists who speak various languages to work together regardless of communication issues.

Over the years, the scientists of our time have had to communicate their knowledge by translating information in all areas, ranging from mathematics to chemistry and even medicine. Even now, in a time when many scientists are fluent in English and work with professional translators can enhance the quality of research conducted by international teams.

●    Translators Bring People Together

“Without translation, we would be living in provinces bordering on silence.” – George Steiner

Translators can reduce the distances between people by bringing people with similar interests. Think of all the content you would not have access to without translation services.

Literature has a wealth of examples. Dostoyevsky, Kafka, Dumas, and Stieg Larsson are just a few examples of authors who would be a mystery to English-speaking readers without the efforts of translators.

Outside of literature, the volume of content that is translated is greater. Films, international news apps, software games, social media platforms, and eCommerce websites. A lot of your favorite apps wouldn’t be noticed without translation.

However, people who are not English-speaking will be grateful to the translators who helped with Shakespeare, The Game of Thrones, Fortnite, Minecraft, and online shopping on Amazon and other sites, not to mention just a tiny fraction of the translators doing their job.

Many translators, interpreters, linguists, and translators reduce the distance between people and nations by allowing local populations access to information in hundreds of languages.

●    Hundreds of Millions of People Use Translations

Translators are people who rewrite the text into another language so that it is available to more people. Google Translate alone performs millions of translations daily with around 200 million people. But the amount of people who utilize translated content is far more.

Consider blogs and articles, instructions for use, medicines recipe labels, and other technical details that manufacturers and creators translate to their customers. Think about news, films, games, videos, and different kinds of media translated to large audiences.

The majority of content we encounter daily is translated into an additional language by professional translators. Most of the time, people don’t think about the efforts that go into those subtitles below the screen while watching a film.

But, the translator’s work is a vital part of making the film a global success, which is why translators should be recognized for their work.

●    Translators Add Cultural Value

As more businesses establish their global presence, the demand to provide translation and services for localization has grown dramatically. The companies now need to translate their products into local languages and adapt them to local markets to sell. They have to move beyond simple translation and create a new strategy for marketing to make contact with potential foreign customers.

“Writers make national literature, while translators make universal literature.” – José Saramago

Language specialists play an essential part in this. Translators and experts in localization contribute value by re-creating the context and writing the content with the “local” approach. Suppose a brand is launching within South America, for example. In that case, it is possible that translating the content to Spanish might not be enough to make it popular with the local population.

People in Mexico have different dialects than people who live in Argentina. Professional translators can utilize local slang and social stereotypes to present a manner that benefits the target audience and the brand.

●    Translators and Interpreters Are Essential for International Law

The human rights world isn’t possible without interpreters and translators. Language service providers spend hundreds of hours translating reports, testimony, and news documents that are later used in courtrooms and aid the legal system in executing justice.

In addition, interpreters and translators ensure everyone gets equal treatment in courtrooms, whether they’re witnesses, plaintiffs, or other parties in the proceedings.

Another area in which translators can contribute significantly is in the field of healthcare. Interpreters and medical translators ensure that patients have access to high-quality medical care even if they experience issues communicating due to a lack of communication skills.

Hospitals often depend on experienced experts in the language field to deal with international patients. They can obtain the necessary medical information to provide the appropriate treatment.

Concluding Remarks

Translators spread information and promote sharing of thoughts on an international scale. Translators play an essential role in how information and knowledge circulate across the globe, eliminating barriers to communication and bringing people closer. Whether they are employed in commercial or NGO, translators transform the world and provide the value of culture.

Hence, it is important to recognize their efforts. And the least we can do is associate an entire day to celebrate their commitment to the world of translation. So happy International translation day everyone!