Happy International Translation Day!

The right to express oneself in one’s language.
The right to be served in one’s language.
The right to information.
The right to culture.
The right to knowledge.
The right to a fair trial.
The right to legal aid.
These rights, now known as human rights, could not be respected if no translator was present.”

-International Federation of Translators

Translators and interpreters are the language bridges linking the world together. Without them, it would be extremely difficult for speakers of the more than 6800 world languages to communicate. For countless years, translators and interpreters have enabled people from different cultures and backgrounds to interact with one another.

Translators and interpreters have the difficult task of successfully conveying not just words, but messages and ideas from one language to another. Unlike a mere bilingual individual, professional translators have the ability to transform any text so that it appears to be written in the native language of its readers rather than unidiomatic word-for-word translations.

Unfortunately, not enough respect, and acknowledgement are given to these language professionals for what they do. We have professional interpreters and translators to thank for helping to build and maintain relationships in commerce, trade, diplomacy and various other industries. On a lighter note, because of translators, children all over the world get to join in on the Harry Potter mania and read the book in more than 60 languages.

On International Translation Day all the hard work and accomplishments of language professionals is recognized throughout the world. Although the International Federation of Translators has observed the day since 1953, International Translation Day was not officially launched until 1999. It is celebrated on September 30 or St. Jerome’s Day, as a tribute to St. Jerome, bible translator, and patron saint of translators and interpreters.

Next time you pick up a book written by a foreign author, view a foreign film with English voiceover or subtitles, or read instructions for a administering a medication in your native language remember, it would not be possible without hard work of translators.