United Nations(UN’s) International Translation Day(ITD) is annually celebrated across the globe on 30th September to recognise the contributions of the language professionals towards the developing and strengthening world peace and security and in connecting the nations and facilitating dialogue.
The UN’s first International Translation Day was celebrated on 30th September 2018.
International Federation of Translators (Fédération Internationale des Traducteurs – FIT) observes the ITD 2020 with the theme “Finding the words for a world in crisis”.
Background:
i.The International Federation of Translators (Fédération Internationale des Traducteurs – FIT) established the idea of the International Translation day in 1991.
ii.The United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/71/288 on 24th May 2017 and proclaimed the 30th September of every year as International Translation Day.
iii.The 30th September was chosen to celebrate the achievements of St Jerome, a Christian priest from Northeastern Italy, who is known for his contributions in translating the Bible into Latin from the Greek manuscript of the New Testament.
iv.St Jerome, who is considered as the patron saint of Translators passed away on 30th September 420.
Events 2020:
i.The International Federation of Translators(FIT) conducted its annual poster competition on ITD 2020 under the theme “Finding the words for a world in crisis” to highlight the importance of Translators to have seamless flow of information in both global and local level amid COVID-19 pandemic.
ii.To Commemorate the ITD 2020 the UN invited its staff from accredited permanent missions and students from partner universities to compete in its 15th UN St. Jerome Translation Contest. The Contest awards the best translation in the Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish and German.
About International Federation of Translators(FIT):
Fédération Internationale des Traducteurs – FIT
President– Kevin Quirk
Headquarters– Paris, France
