International Translation Day

This International Translation Day , we ask: what does the future hold for human translators? Rather than disappearing, their role is changing — from producing text to protecting meaning, quality, and ethics in ways machines cannot. In the @unescocourier , Joss Moorkens explored whether translators are an endangered species. Today, the question feels even more pressing, as the profession continues to change.

Translation is crucial to the work of the United Nations , facilitating dialogue, understanding & cooperation around the world. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is the most translated document in the world , existing in over 500 languages . On Tuesday’s September 30th ; International Translation Day , join us in thanking all language professionals whose work helps bring people and nations together.

Under the theme " Translation, an art worth protecting: Moral and Material rights for Indigenous Languages " this event will focus on prominent ethical issues in the context of copyright, data collection and use of translated works. The event will shed light on the practical challenges faced by our multifaceted global community in data collection and translation of Indigenous languages and how they navigate such challenges as per industry norms. UNESCO - Online event 30 September 2024 - 10:00 am (CEST) Virtual

The United Nations uses simultaneous interpreting to make easier communication during meetings and events. The interpreters don’t have any breaks during the speech. They have to juggle, listen, translate, and talk at the same time. They must travel and be objective when translating arguments that they don't agree with and they often work under extreme stress. These professionals need years of training to accumulate the skills needed to interpret during meetings and conferences .

Translators and interpreters who work in the United Nations Interpretation Service need to speak at least two UN working languages besides their mother tongue. Discussions and meetings at the United Nations include topics like politics, economic, social matters, human rights, and many other subjects of interest. It’s not an easy task, it requires permanent study and efforts to remain updated and have their translation skills improved.

 The United Nations General Assembly adopted on 24 May 2017 the resolution 71/288 on the role of language professionals in connecting nations and fostering peace, understanding and development , and declared September 30th as International Translation Day .

September 30th celebrates the feast of St. Jerome , The Bible translator , who is considered the patron saint of translators . St. Jerome was a priest from North-eastern Italy, who is known mostly for his endeavor of translating most of the Bible into Latin from the Greek manuscripts of the New Testament . He also translated parts of the Hebrew Gospel into Ancient Greek Language . He was of Illyrian ancestry and his native tongue was the Illyrian dialect. He learned Latin in school and was fluent in Greek and Hebrew, which he picked up from his studies and travels. Jerome died near Bethlehem on 30 September 420.