Celebrate Language Professionals on International Translation Day - Creative Word

It may seem as though there is a ‘day’ for everything at present – did you know there is a ‘World Toothache Day’ (February 9th), ‘Ice-cream for Breakfast Day’ (the first Saturday of February, which might be a bit chilly if you’re in the UK), and even an International Translation Day?

Don’t think you’re alone if you were unaware of some these special days, as many of them obviously make more sense than others, while some have special meaning only for specific groups, countries or people.

However, International Translation Day is a day that deserves to be celebrated around the globe.

It is thanks to translation that we have the ability to communicate, unite and share our experiences, thoughts, emotions, work, research, stories and lives with others who don’t speak our language – it is something to be grateful for.

Celebrated on September 30th, International Translation Day coincides with the feast of Saint Jerome, the patron saint of translators, who translated the bible from Hebrew and Greek to Latin from 382 to 420.

The day has been promoted by the International Federation of Translators (FIT) since the organisation was formed in 1953 and was officially launched in 1991 as a demonstration of unity for the worldwide translation community and to promote the translation profession around the world, even in non-Christian countries who don’t celebrate St. Jerome.

Since 2005, the United Nations has invited staff, and students from select partner universities, to compete in the UN St. Jerome Translation Contest which “rewards the best translations in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish, as well as German, and aims to celebrate multilingualism and highlight the important role of translators and other language professionals in multilateral diplomacy”.

On 24th May 2017, the UN General Assembly “adopted resolution 71/288 on the role of language professionals in connecting nations, fostering peace, and promoting understanding and development”, declaring 30th September, International Translation Day.

At Creative Word, we know the importance of translation; how it facilitates global communication, improves cultural cooperation and understanding, promotes education, and advances development in many areas of life, and in every sector within industry.

We are fortunate enough to work with highly skilled linguists, translators and interpreters who have at least degree level qualifications, a minimum of 3 years’ experience in an additional field such as, marketing or law, and are native speakers, so on International Translation Day we’d like to thank all our team for their hard work and superb multilingual talents.

With professional translation services in over 80 languages, access to more than 500 translators with a 99.9% accuracy, we believe the Creative Word team should be celebrated – thank goodness for International translation day!

Please feel free to share in the comment section below any special relevance that International Translation Day has for you, how our translation services have helped your firm, or send your thanks to a specific member of the Creative Word team for a job well done!