Today, on International Translation Day, we reflect on how this work has been brought to the attention of the world by quoting the UN statements on this topic.
International Translation Day is meant as an opportunity to pay tribute to the work of language professionals, which plays an important role in bringing nations together, facilitating dialogue, understanding and cooperation, contributing to development and strengthening world peace and security.
Transposition of a literary or scientific work, including technical work, from one language into another language, professional translation, including translation proper, interpretation and terminology, is indispensable to preserving clarity, a positive climate and productiveness in international public discourse and interpersonal communication.
Thus, on 24 May 2017, the General Assembly adopted resolution 71/288 on the role of language professionals in connecting nations and fostering peace, understanding and development, and declared 30 September as International Translation Day.
https://www.un.org/en/events/translationday/
Languages play a crucial role in our daily lives. They are not only our first medium for communication, education and social integration, but are also at the heart of each person’s unique identity, cultural history and memory. The ongoing loss of indigenous languages is particularly devastating, as the complex knowledges and cultures they foster are increasingly being recognized as strategic resources for good governance, peacebuilding, reconciliation, and sustainable development. More importantly, such losses have huge negative impacts indigenous peoples’ most basic human rights.
In 2016, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution (A/RES/71/178) proclaiming 2019 as the International Year of Indigenous Languages, based on a recommendation by the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. At the time, the Permanent Forum expressed concern that 40 per cent of the world’s estimated 6,700 languages were in danger of disappearing— the majority belonging to indigenous peoples.
https://www.un.org/development/desa/dspd/2019/01/2019-international-year-of-indigenous-languages/
Today, on International Translation Day, Helen Eby and Odilia Romero, an indigenous interpreter who since 1994 has been training speakers of indigenous languages to be competent interpreters, met to discuss interpreting for indigenous languages. We will publish an article in the ID blog to share with our readers.
Also today, ATA released a short animated video showing how translators and interpreters help power the global economy. ATA invites you to celebrate ITD by sharing this video on your own social media network. Share your story with the rest of the world on this special day!
Image credits: ITD 2019 Winner Poster https://www.fit-ift.org; ATA International Translation Day 2019