Launched in 1953, International Translation Day is a relatively recent entry in the calendar of world events. Established by the International Federation of Translators, the annual celebration on 30 September is an opportunity to pay tribute to the work of translators who endeavour to make the world a slightly smaller place by breaking down language barriers and allowing great literature to be enjoyed far more widely. It is celebrated every year on the feast of St. Jerome, the Bible translator, who is considered the patron saint of translators. This is an opportunity to display pride in a profession that is becoming increasingly essential in the era of progressing globalisation.
Translation is the communication of the meaning of a source-language text by means of an equivalent target-language text. A competent translator is not only bilingual but bicultural. A language is not merely a collection of words and of rules of grammar and syntax for generating sentences, but also a vast interconnecting system of connotations and cultural references whose mastery comes close to being a lifetime job.
Despite the technological evolution and the new tools that translators can use nowadays, the basics have not changed:
- The role of translators and interpreters today is the same as it was a thousand years ago: to enable people to communicate.
- Quality remains the cornerstone in any assignment, and this still depends on the skills and experience of the translator or interpreter and on selecting the right person for the job.
- Translators still have to craft each text to fit its purpose.
- Clients still need to brief the translator or interpreter of their needs properly.
- Translators still need to keep themselves fresh, up-to-date and on the ball through continuing professional development.
We invite you to watch the following hilarious video that shows in a most representative and funny way how NOT to translate! Enjoy!
Written by Georgia NTAI
Communication Trainee at TermCoord
Student at the University of Luxembourg