International Translation Day

International Translation Day, also known as World Translation Day, is a day set aside to honour translators around the world. It falls on September 30, the feast day of St. Jerome, the Bible translator who is revered as the patron saint of translators.

Every year on September 30^th, it is commemorated to increase awareness about the translation profession and to honour the efforts of language specialists. It contributes to the preservation of cultural legacy and mutual respect in our ever-changing world.

Languages are crucial for individuals and society as a whole because of their complicated consequences for identity, communication, social integration, education, and development.

Languages are increasingly recognised as important in development, ensuring cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue, as well as achieving quality education for all and strengthening cooperation, building inclusive knowledge societies and preserving cultural heritage, and mobilising political will to apply science and technology benefits to sustainable development.

Multilingualism is considered a fundamental value of the Organization and is an important aspect in peaceful communication among people. Multilingualism provides effective and enhanced participation of all in the Organization's work, as well as higher effectiveness, improved performance, and improved transparency, through increasing tolerance.

The article deals with the description of the International Translation Day or World Translation Day. The article also focuses on the history and significance of this day. The day is also known as the international interpreter day. The main purpose of this article is to create awareness among people about the contributions of the translator and interpreters. 

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History of World Translation Day

It is interesting to note that the celebration of World Translation Day or International Translation Day, is a relatively new addition to the world's calendar of events. The International Federation of Translators formed it (FIT). The purpose of commemorating this day every year is to honour the efforts of translators and interpreters who help to break down language barriers and make the globe a smaller place. A number of activities, seminars, and symposiums are held around the world to commemorate this day.

After contemplating the importance of professionals in connecting nations and encouraging peace, understanding, and development, the United Nations General Assembly passed Resolution 71/288 on May 24, 2017, designating September 30 as International Translation Day.

The date of September 30 was chosen since it is the feast day of St. Jerome. The International Federation of Translators (FIT), which was founded in 1953, has sponsored these celebrations. Even as early as 1991, FIT proposed the establishment of an officially recognised International Translation Day to demonstrate the global translation community's solidarity and to promote the translation profession in a number of countries.

United Nations Resolution on World Translation Day

International interpreter day is celebrated in accordance with the resolution passed by the United Nations. The United Nations General Assembly enacted Resolution 71/288 on May 24, 2017, designating September 30 as International Translation Day, recognising the importance of professional translation in bridging the gap between nations. 

Countries like Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Paraguay, Qatar, Turkey, Turkmenistan, and Vietnam signed the United Nation resolution A/71/L.68.

In addition to the International Federation of Translators, the International Association of Conference Interpreters, Critical Link International, the International Association of Professional Translators and Interpreters, Red T, and the World Association of Sign Language Interpreters all advocated for the resolution's adoption.

An interesting fact about the celebrations of the international interpreter day history is the annual St. Jerome Translation Contest which is held by the United Nations for translations in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish, and German.

Since its founding in 1953, the International Federation of Translators (FIT) has supported the celebrations. In 1991, FIT proposed an official International Translation Day to show solidarity with the global translation community and to promote translation as a vocation that has become increasingly important in the age of globalization.

Another institution that publicly supported the celebration of world translation day and has worked towards creating awareness by teaching international interpreter day significance is American Translators Association.

Since 2018, the American Translators Association has commemorated International Translation Day by posting a series of social media postings to raise awareness and educate the public about the importance of professional translators and interpreters. The ATA commemorated ITD 2018 by releasing six infographics depicting information about the professions. In 2019, the American Translators Association (ATA) created a movie presenting "A Day in the Life of a Translator or Interpreter”.

Significance of International Translation Day

We must comprehend the significance of the worldwide interpreter day celebration since we have already formed an understanding of the history of the day and the resolution that led to its inclusion in world holidays.

The translator and interpreter are two professions dedicated to the same goal: to make it easier for people to communicate with one another. Both interpreters and translators work at the crossroads of commerce, science, medicine, technology, international law, politics, and a variety of other fields. This will allow each of these people around the world to learn from one another, benefiting society as a whole.

International Translation Day is intended to honour the work of language specialists, who play a critical role in bringing nations together, fostering discussion, understanding, and collaboration, and contributing to the development and world peace and security.

Professional translation, which includes translation proper, interpretation, and terminology, is essential to maintaining clarity, a positive climate, and productivity in international public discourse and interpersonal communication when a literary or scientific work, including technical work, is translated from one language into another.

Translators work on a wide range of documents, from translating statements to expert body findings. They interpret materials on all aspects of the UN agenda, including human rights, peace and security, and development. 

UN materials are published in all six of the Organization's official languages at the same time (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish). Some of the most important documents have also been translated into German. This multilingual documentation is made possible by translators, whose role is to convert the substance of source materials into their primary language in a clear and correct manner.

Thus it can be said that the contributions made by the translators are quite crucial to the smooth governance of the United Nations, the role is not only limited to United Nation organisation, they are employed and are important in almost every multilingual affairs concerning politics, science or international delegations. 

The Theme of International Translation Day Celebrations

Since the start of the celebration of the day, there are different themes on which the celebrations are based every year. The different themes focus on the different aspects and challenges that society faces. 

"Finding the words for a world in crisis" is the subject of International Translation Day 2020. The topic emphasises the necessity of hard work in ensuring that everyone receives clear information and overcoming linguistic barriers both worldwide and locally.

"Translation and Indigenous Languages" was the theme of this year's International Translation Day. It focuses on indigenous languages that are on the verge of extinction. It is critical to conserve and maintain the languages of the world's millions of indigenous peoples. Indigenous people's languages are an important aspect of their culture. It's also been argued that when a community loses its language, it's also losing its culture.

“Translation: Promoting Cultural Heritage in Changing Times” was the theme of this year's International Translation Day (ITD). The FIT council has chosen this theme. It is crucial in bringing nations together, fostering communication, understanding, and cooperation, and contributing to the growth and strengthening of global peace and security.

The Different Themes from The Year 2014 are Mentioned Below in the List.

In conclusion of the article, it can be said that we have developed an understanding of the history and significance of the celebration of world translation day. The contributions of the translators are invaluable in the development of a society.