30 September

International Translation Day is celebrated every year on 30 September on the feast of St. Jerome, the Bible translator who is considered the patron saint of translators. St Jerome was the first person to translate the Bible into Latin from the original Hebrew, making it accessible to a far wider audience.

International Translation Day (ITD) was launched in 1953 by the International Federation of Translators. It is celebrated worldwide every year on 30 September, the feast day of St Jerome, who is the patron saint of translators. The day presents an opportunity for paying tribute to the work of translators, terminologists, interpreters and language practitioners in general who endeavour to make the world a slightly smaller place by breaking down language barriers and allowing great literature to be enjoyed far more widely. Dedicated events, seminars, workshops, conferences and symposiums are held across the world to celebrate ITD.

Another positive development within the language sphere is the adoption of the South African Language Practitioners’ Council Act, 2014. This Act will regulate the language profession in areas such as the accreditation, training and employment of language practitioners. On the one hand, this will ensure that government, the private sector and members of the public who make use of language practitioners will receive professional service. For language professionals, on the other hand, it will mean that they will receive proper training, their profession will be protected, and they will receive recognition for their skills when they are employed.