Beyond the Word: Celebrating International Translation Day 2025 | St. Jerome & the Unsung Heroes of Translation

BEYOND THE WORD – INTERNATIONAL TRANSLATION DAY

September 30th is a story of an unseen army of linguists who are the true architects of the global village, from a tale of a holy man’s silent legacy to a constant battle for human connection.

The Legacy of St. Jerome

The story begins with St. Jerome, a native of Bethlehem, who took up the monumental task of translating the Bible from original Hebrew and Greek into Latin, the common language of the people. His translation, the Vulgate, became the single most important text for Western Civilization and shattered the linguistic barrier between the divine world and the common man.

He did not seek glory; his simple aim was to make the difficult Hebrew and Greek understandable in Latin. This is why he is revered as the Patron Saint of Translators, and his feast on September 30th is when the world celebrates his legacy.

Translators in the Shadows

For centuries, translators worked quietly behind the scenes until 1953, when the International Federation of Translators championed this silent profession, establishing September 30th as an unofficial day of pride and solidarity.

In the era of globalization, the stakes became too high to remain in the shadows. Translation became not just about literature, but about life, death, and peace. A modern diplomatic movement emerged to bring the translator’s role to the highest global forum.

Recognition by the United Nations

In 2017, a resolution was brought before the United Nations General Assembly, which received resounding consensus. The UN officially declared September 30th as International Translation Day, reaffirming that professional translation is not merely a service, but both an art and a science:

  • Connects Nations – Building bridges of dialogue where walls of language once stood.

  • Fosters Peace and Security – Ensuring no critical diplomatic or humanitarian message is “lost in translation.”

  • Enables Development – Unlocking the world’s knowledge from medicine to technology for all people.

Theme for 2025

The Annual Theme for 2025 is: “Celebrating Translation, Peace and Trust.”

In a digitalized world of global turmoil, disinformation, and powerful artificial intelligence, this theme is a powerful reminder that human translators and interpreters remain the ultimate guardians of truth and trust. They ensure that every word spoken in diplomacy, courtrooms, and other critical settings is rendered with precision, cultural nuance, and ethical integrity—something machines cannot replicate.

A Tribute to the Invisible Workforce

International Translation Day is a tribute to the invisible workforce that weaves the tapestry of a multilingual world. It reminds us that every piece of knowledge, work of art, and diplomatic success is built on the foundation of someone finding the right words.

Author: Advocate Mamta Singh Shukla
Supreme Court of India
📱 +91-9560044035

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