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International Translation Day

Language is much more than words. It connects people, disseminates ideas and opens the door to new cultures and markets. Knowledge, experience and a grasp of context are the cornerstones of every high-quality translation. This makes the role of translators crucial as the world grows ever more connected. International Translation Day is an occasion for us to look back on the work of translators, the challenges they face and the importance of human expertise in the era of artificial intelligence.

Each year on 30 September, we celebrate International Translation Day – a day honoring the professionals who quietly, yet crucially, bring together different cultures, languages and economies. The date was chosen in tribute to St. Jerome, the Bible translator and patron saint of translators, and is officially recognized by the UN, in order to illuminate the importance of language professionals in building global dialogue and understanding.  

There is a story behind every text

In a world of fast communication, it is easy to forget just how much effort and knowledge it takes to faithfully transmit a message from one language into another. For quite a while now, translation has consisted of far more than the mechanical replacement of words from a dictionary. It is an art that requires:

  • a profound understanding of the context: Each language embodies particular cultural nuances, historical references and a local spirit, none of which can be translated literally.
  • expertise relevant to the field: Whether they are working on contracts, medical findings, technical manuals or literary works, the translator’s knowledge of terminology and subject-matter must match that of the author.
  • adaptation to the audience (localization): A good translation sounds natural and has a flow and authenticity to it – just as it would if it had been originally written in the target language.

A human touch in the era of artificial intelligence

The rapid evolution of machine translation and AI tools might have changed the role of translators, but it has not rendered them obsolete. On the contrary, the importance of human expertise is greater than ever. Even if machines are able to process large amounts of data in a matter of seconds, humans bring to the table:

  • critical thinking and ethics: recognizing sensitive subjects, avoiding bias and ensuring precision with respect to crucial details.
  • creativity and tone: emotion, humor, style and the marketing flair of content still depend entirely on human intention.
  • proofreading and post-editing: ensuring a high level of quality and security, particularly with regard to expert and official documents.

Thanks to those who bring worlds together!

International Translation Day is an opportunity to thank all translators, interpreters, localizers and proofreaders for their daily work “behind the scenes”. Thanks to their work, business entities enter the global market, scientific discoveries become public knowledge, and literary works win the hearts of readers throughout the world. If you are looking for a trusted partner who understands the details of your industry and your market, do not hesitate to contact us.

Happy International Translation Day!