Happy International Translation Day!
International Translation Day, marked annually on September 30th, elevates a craft often overlooked despite its foundational role in global literary exchange. Beyond its religious origins—tied to St. Jerome, the patron saint of translators—the observance underscores the political and cultural weight of translation in fostering cross-border understanding, a point formalized by the United Nations in 2017. Yet the day also serves as a reminder of the discipline’s paradox: while translation bridges divides, its practitioners navigate tensions between fidelity and creativity, visibility and invisibility, in an era where linguistic barriers persist even as literary markets globalize.
Why was September 30th chosen as International Translation Day?
The date aligns with the feast of St. Jerome, the 4th-century translator of the Bible into Latin, whose legacy as both a scholar and a curmudgeon encapsulates the duality of translation as both sacred duty and contentious art. The UN’s 2017 resolution formalized this choice, linking the day to broader goals of peace and cooperation, though Jerome’s reputation as a prickly figure adds a layer of irony to the celebration.
What does the UN’s 2017 resolution reveal about the perceived role of translators in global affairs?
The resolution frames translation not merely as a technical skill but as a geopolitical tool, asserting that it upholds the UN Charter by facilitating dialogue and cooperation. This framing elevates translators from invisible mediators to active contributors to international stability, though it risks obscuring the precarious labor conditions and creative risks inherent in the field.
How does the article address the tension between translation as a trade and as an art?
The piece oscillates between celebrating translation’s utility—its ability to bring nations together—and its artistic dimensions, as seen in essays by translators like Anton Hur and Idra Novey. Yet it also hints at the unresolved debate over whether translation is a mechanical process or a creative act, with scholars like Lawrence Venuti arguing for its evolving, multifaceted identity.
What blind spots remain in the public understanding of literary translation?
While the article highlights translation’s cultural and political significance, it does not address the economic disparities in the field, such as the often-low pay for translators or the dominance of English-language publishers in shaping which works get translated. The focus on celebrated translators and their essays risks overshadowing systemic challenges in the industry.
Ce que ça pourrait changer
The growing institutional recognition of translation could pressure publishers and funding bodies to invest more in the field, potentially improving conditions for translators. However, without addressing structural inequities—such as the imbalance between source and target languages—these changes may only reinforce existing hierarchies in global literature. The emphasis on translation’s role in peace and development might also lead to its instrumentalization, where its artistic and subversive potential is sidelined in favor of diplomatic or commercial utility.
