International Translation Day: United in Translation

September 30 marks International Translation Day each year, established by the International Federation of Translators (FIT) to raise public awareness of the translation profession. The theme for 2021 is "United in Translation".

The theme feels especially apt in a pandemic era. For nearly two years, linguists worldwide have quietly underpinned cross-border pandemic cooperation: multilingual sharing of diagnosis and treatment protocols, rapid translation of vaccine literature, communication for cross-border procurement of supplies, and SI support for online international conferences. Rarely has translation been so directly involved in a collective crisis response.

The day is also an occasion for professional reflection. Translation has long been "invisible" work: an excellent translation lets the reader forget the translator exists, while a single slip can instantly put one in the spotlight. As machine translation races ahead, the professional value of linguists has not diminished — it has become clearer in quality assurance, cultural adaptation and high-stakes communication.

To every colleague connecting the world through language — happy International Translation Day.