29 September 2021 · Fran Puddick
Celebrated each year on 30 September, International Translation Day pays tribute to the work of language professionals, who play a crucial role in bringing nations and nationalities together.
30th of September commemorates the feast of St. Jerome, patron Saint of Translators. A priest and philosopher, Jerome was the first person to translate the Bible from Hebrew into Latin in around 382AD, making it accessible to a wider audience than ever before.
In the 21st Century, the role of language professionals has taken on a new dimension. With today’s international brands, there is huge value to be gained from translation, interpreting and localisation services, not just in terms of reaching new markets and speaking to new audiences but to support a workforce that for so many organisations, is now global.
International co-operation has never been more essential. Businesses need to think very carefully about how they maintain and grow their customer relationships at home and overseas.
English is the most prominent language in the world. So perhaps the question ‘why doesn’t everybody just learn English’ has some merit…
But the reality is not everybody can speak English, fewer still can use it to communicate effectively. Even more importantly, language is about much more than words. It is also an expression of one’s culture, society, and beliefs. Inevitably, a single, universal language would mean losing rich cultural heritage, experiences, relationships and even beliefs, from communities across the world.
If your business needs support with languages, whether it’s translating key policies and documents, or cultural awareness training for key team members, please get in touch.