International Translation Day

What Is International Translation Day?

September 30 is "International Translation Day," an international observance established by the UN General Assembly in 2017. It aims to honor the work of translators and interpreters, who play a vital role in international cooperation and mutual understanding.

The Origins and Background of International Translation Day

September 30 is the feast day of St. Jerome, who translated the Bible into Latin in the 4th and 5th centuries. St. Jerome is regarded as the patron saint of translators, and the International Federation of Translators had long observed September 30 as "International Translation Day" before the UN General Assembly officially recognized it as an international day in 2017.

• Year established: 2017 (by UN General Assembly resolution)
• Origin: The feast day of St. Jerome, the patron saint of translators
• Purpose: To honor the importance of the work of translation and interpretation

Fun Facts About Translation

• St. Jerome: Known for completing the "Vulgate," the Latin translation of the Bible.
• Connection to international cooperation: At the UN and other international organizations, large teams of translators and interpreters are involved in producing multilingual documents and running conferences.
• The rise of machine translation: While AI-powered machine translation has become increasingly accurate in recent years, human translators remain essential for capturing cultural nuance.

Ways to Enjoy International Translation Day

Why not pay attention to the choices translators make when bringing a foreign book or film into your own language? It's a great opportunity to appreciate the work of translation, which carries information and culture across the barriers of language.