International Translation Day 2024, Date, History, Theme and Significance

Every year on September 30, the world comes together to observe International Translation Day, a day dedicated to honoring the invaluable contributions of translators and language specialists worldwide. This special occasion serves as a platform to recognize the achievements of these professionals who play a crucial role in promoting international communication, understanding, and collaboration. By facilitating dialogue and fostering mutual comprehension across linguistic boundaries, translators are instrumental in advancing and strengthening global peace and security.

The Significance of International Translation Day

United Nations’ Perspective

According to the United Nations, International Translation Day provides a unique opportunity to:

Acknowledge the contributions of language specialists in enhancing international understanding
Improve communication on a global scale
Strengthen national collaboration
Contribute to global peace and security

Raising Awareness

Beyond recognizing the work of translators, this day aims to raise awareness about:

The importance of languages in advancing our society
The critical role of the translation profession in bridging cultural and linguistic gaps

International Translation Day 2024: Theme and Focus

Addressing Ethical Challenges

The theme for International Translation Day 2024 will tackle pressing ethical issues in the field of translation, including:

Data collection practices
Copyright concerns
The use of translated works

Real-World Challenges

This year’s event will shine a spotlight on the practical challenges faced by our diverse global community, particularly in:

Collecting data for translation purposes
Translating Indigenous languages

The focus will be on how these challenges are managed while adhering to industry standards and ethical guidelines.

Historical Background

United Nations General Assembly Resolution

On May 24, 2017, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a landmark resolution that led to the official establishment of International Translation Day. This resolution was signed by eleven countries, underscoring the global recognition of the significance of work carried out by language specialists.

Choice of Date

The selection of September 30 as International Translation Day is not arbitrary. This date holds special significance as it coincides with the feast day of St. Jerome, a historical figure renowned for his contribution to translation.

St. Jerome’s Legacy

St. Jerome, a priest from northeastern Italy, is credited with a monumental achievement in the field of translation:

He translated the Greek manuscripts of the New Testament into Latin
His work on translating the Bible has had a lasting impact on religious and linguistic studies

The Importance of Translation in a Global Context

Preserving Cultural Diversity

Understanding and translating other people’s languages is essential for:

Preserving the rich tapestry of cultural diversity around the world
Fostering international cooperation and collaboration

Overcoming Language Barriers

Without the support of language experts, it would be exceedingly difficult to:

Overcome language barriers in international communication
Maintain effective dialogue between different linguistic communities

Growing Demand for Language Specialists

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected through globalization and digital technologies, the demand for language specialists and translators is projected to rise significantly. This growth is driven by: