International Translation Day

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 .

The United Nations has six official languages  which are the  English , Spanish , French , Chinese , Russian , and Arabic . The organization edits and publishes documents in all UN official languages , but generally uses English and French for internal communication. The other languages are used during discussions in the Regional Commissions. Mastering a language is just the first step in becoming a good interpreter. In a UN guide aimed at those looking to become linguistic experts , the job appears to be a mix of a diplomat, engineer, and traffic driver. “ A good translator knows the techniques for dealing with difficult situations, has nerves of steel, doesn't freak out, and can keep up with fast speakers ”, says the guide. In 1946, English and French were the only working languages. Due to the United Nations General Assembly all six official languages have become working languages too. The majority of speakers at the United Nations communicate in one of six official lan...

They live and make history every day, fighting cultural and language barriers at global levels, dealing daily with some of the most important and influential people on the planet, and speaking for them during meetings and conferences . It seems like the perfect job, but nothing is simple when the slightest translation error can have serious consequences in world politics. United Nations interpreters are fully aware of the responsibility they bear. The Interpreter, film directed by Sydney Pollack, starring Nicole Kidman

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights holds the Guinness World Record as the most translated document. It exists in more than 500 languages . The United Nations is one of the world's largest employers of language professionals . There are six official languages of the UN - Arabic Language , Chinese Language , English Language , French Language , Russian Language and Spanish Language . A delegate may speak in any official UN language. The speech is interpreted simultaneously into the other official languages of the UN .

International Translation Day is meant as an opportunity to pay tribute to the work of language professionals , which plays an important role in bringing nations together, facilitating dialogue, understanding and cooperation, contributing to development and strengthening world peace and security. Transposition of a literary or scientific work, including technical work, from one language into another language, professional translation , including translation proper , interpretation and terminology , is indispensable to preserving clarity, a positive climate and productiveness in international public discourse and interpersonal communication .