{"id":9003,"date":"2022-09-27T07:00:24","date_gmt":"2022-09-27T05:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eurotext.de\/en\/?p=9003"},"modified":"2025-01-30T12:11:20","modified_gmt":"2025-01-30T11:11:20","slug":"september-30th-is-international-translation-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eurotext.de\/en\/blog\/september-30th-is-international-translation-day\/","title":{"rendered":"September 30th is International Translation Day"},"content":{"rendered":"

Did you know that language professionals have a whole day dedicated to them? Coming up on September 30th<\/sup> is International Translation Day. Read on to find out where this day comes from, how it\u2019s celebrated and how translation is helping the world.<\/p>\n

What is International Translation Day, and why do we celebrate it?<\/h2>\n

On International Translation Day, we pay tribute to the work of language professionals around the world. Translation (= written) and interpreting (= spoken) play an important role in bringing different countries together<\/strong>. They enable open, clear communication and contribute to economic development and world peace.<\/p>\n

Who invented International Translation Day?<\/h2>\n

In 2017, the General Assembly declared September 30th<\/sup> as International Translation Day<\/strong>. The General Assembly is the main deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the United Nations <\/em>(UN). To honor the occasion, 11 nations signed the draft resolution for International Translation Day: Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Paraguay, Qatar, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Vietnam.<\/p>\n

But the origins of this day go back much further than that.<\/p>\n

Why September 30th<\/sup>?<\/h2>\n

Having been translated into 636 languages, the Bible is the world\u2019s most translated document<\/strong> to date. The original bible translator was St. Jerome<\/strong>, who\u2019s considered the patron saint of translators. He was an Italian priest and died on September 30th<\/sup>, 420<\/strong>. That\u2019s why International Translation Day is sometimes also referred to as St. Jerome\u2019s Day.<\/p>\n

Ever since 2005, the UN holds a St. Jerome Translation contest<\/strong>. But even long before then, the International Federation of Translators<\/em> (FIT) has encouraged St. Jerome\u2019s Day celebrations since its establishment in 1953.<\/p>\n

How has International Translation Day been celebrated over the years?<\/h2>\n

In the past, the FIT issued press releases to all its member associations suggesting celebratory activities, such as awarding diplomas to young translators or welcoming new translators into professional associations<\/strong>. One of the reasons behind these activities was to raise public awareness about the sometimes misunderstood profession of translators and interpreters<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Today, we have three main PR activities to celebrate International Translation Day:<\/p>\n