The Art of Understandaing: Celebrating International Translation Day 2024
International Days
Imagine a world where we could all understand each other. No language barriers, no confusion, just pure connection. What if every word you spoke could instantly reach the heart of someone on the other side of the globe? Sounds magical, right? That magic, in reality, is the work of translators. They are the unsung heroes who make it possible for us to connect beyond borders, cultures, and languages.
Every year, on September 30th, we celebrate International Translation Day—a tribute to the people who tear down the walls of miscommunication and bring the world closer together. This isn’t just a day for recognizing a profession; it’s a day to appreciate how vital translation is to understanding, peace, and unity in a world that speaks more than 7,000 languages.
Language is more than just a means to communicate. It carries the weight of history, the richness of culture, and the depth of emotion. A single word can shift an entire conversation, change a perspective, or even shape a destiny. Think of it like in the movie Arrival—when the way we communicate with someone fundamentally changes the way we understand their entire existence. The power of language is undeniable, but its reach would be limited without the dedication of translators who ensure that message is not lost.
Translators don’t just change words from one language to another; they bridge entire cultures, preserving the intent, emotion, and nuance behind every sentence. Their work is essential in global diplomacy, business, education, and even the media we consume. Without them, our access to the wealth of human knowledge would be fragmented, confined to our own linguistic boundaries.
This year, the theme for International Translation Day 2024 is "Translation, an Art Worth Protecting"—a timely reminder that translation is more than just a technical skill. It’s an art form, requiring the precision and care of an artist to ensure that meaning, emotion, and cultural context are preserved. Each translation, whether it's a novel, a legal document, or even a simple conversation, plays a vital role in building a more connected and compassionate world.
The origins of this day date back to the feast of Saint Jerome, the patron saint of translators, who translated the Bible into Latin. But it wasn’t until 1991 that the International Federation of Translators (FIT) made International Translation Day official. Since then, translators around the world have been celebrated for their tireless efforts to ensure that we don’t just hear each other—we understand each other.The United Nations recognizes the day for its crucial role in promoting cultural heritage and mutual respect in a rapidly changing world. Because, without translators, we wouldn’t just lose words—we would lose the stories, ideas, and dreams that bring us together.
Being a translator is not just about having fluency in two languages. It’s about carrying the responsibility of conveying the true meaning behind words. The tone, the context, the cultural significance—all these need to be translated too. It’s a job that requires empathy, deep understanding, and years of practice. A single mistranslation can lead to a misunderstanding, a conflict, or even a missed opportunity. But the real beauty of translation lies in its ability to protect and preserve the uniqueness of each language and culture. Every translated word is a tribute to the diversity of human expression. In this interconnected world, translators are the guardians of that diversity, ensuring that no voice goes unheard, no story untold.
As we celebrate International Translation Day 2024, we must also look to the future. In a world that is becoming more digital and interconnected by the day, technology—like machine translation and AI—will play a bigger role. But even the most advanced software cannot capture the subtlety and emotion of human translation. There’s an art to translating that only a human heart can master.
So today, let’s not just thank translators for their work; let’s acknowledge the deeper connections they help foster in our lives. They are the bridge-builders of our global village, ensuring that no matter what language we speak, we all have a chance to be heard and understood. As the poet Rumi once said, "Language is a river; words are the bridges." On this day, let’s appreciate those who build these bridges for us—one word at a time.
Happy International Translation Day 2024!
