May 24, 2017 marks an historical milestone for all professional translators, interpreters and terminologists as the 71st Session of the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted Resolution A/71/L.68 recognising the role of professional translation in connecting nations, and fostering peace, understanding and development.
In the same resolution, the United Nations General Assembly declares 30 September to be UN International Translation Day to be celebrated across the entire UN network.
Official recognition of the International Translation Day (ITD), first celebrated back in 1953, has been one of FIT’s longstanding missions since its inception. Many attempts have been made to seek official recognition of ITD especially from our partner UNESCO. As recently as early 2015, a delegation with a letter signed by FIT President to the Secretary General of UNESCO attended the inaugural launch of the International Mother Language Day but to no avail.
Multilingualism, successful implementation of which is intricately linked with professional translation, interpreting and terminology, is one of the key pillars of the United Nations and it is a central component of its engagement with citizens from 193 Member States through its 6 official languages. It is particularly poignant that Resolution A/71/L.68 compliments the Nairobi Recommendation of 1976 widening the scope to encompass all human endeavours by recognising the role professional translation plays in connecting nations – the very theme of ITD2016, proposed by the American Translators Association (ATA).
This resolution also enshrines and celebrates the importance and the irreplaceability of professional translation in international human endeavours. It highlights the critical need for training the next generation of professional translators, interpreters and terminologists to meet this ever increasing demand as international interaction, cooperation and collaboration continue to grow. The United Nations, in collaboration with its university partners, has been one of the leading centres of excellence in training the translators, interpreters and terminologists who will continue to play a critical role in international security and prosperity in Member States and across the UN.
Both FIT and the UN are about bringing people together. Resolution xxx not only brings the UN and FIT closer together; with ITD coinciding with the International Week of the Deaf (IWD) and following the successful inaugural combined observation and celebration of the IWD and ITD last year, it is hoped that the celebration of ITD across the UN will also highlight the important role played by the national and regional sign languages especially in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Finally, it is important to remind the Federation and the wider profession that 2017 already marks an important milestone. The European Commission and the wider European Union will be observing and celebrating the ITD for the first time in conjunction with European Day of Languages (EDL) following last year’s successful meeting between the Director-General for Translation (DGT) and Director General for Interpretation (DGI) and FIT President at the European Commission.
Comments about this article
البرازيل
Local time: 14:34
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This is awesome
الهند
Local time: 23:04
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This is fantastic and is a real mental boost and tonic to all Translators.
Regards,
Devanathan
الهند
Local time: 23:04
عضو (2011)
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धन्यवाद, संयुक्त राष्ट्र संघ!
البرتغال
Local time: 18:34
عضو (2007)
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Though I wonder why it took so long knowing the crucial contribution language professionals make to the United Nations...
البرازيل
Local time: 14:34
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One thing so obvious, I was wondering why people took so long time to acknowledge this value contribution.
We deserve that!
الولايات المتحدة
Local time: 13:34
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I hope it is not an International Machine Translation Day, though, or will not turn into one, with some other agendas.
تايلند
Local time: 00:34
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UN, you are the leader of linguistic jobs. I hope to hear more about you at Proz.com.
Soonthon L.
المملكة المتحدة
Local time: 18:34
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This decision represents an advancement towards a worldwide, formal recognition of one of the oldest professions.
Local time: 23:04
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This long awaited decision is a welcome sign and recognition of the work linguists have been performing all over the world including UN to promote sharing of Knowledge and making it available for common good of humanity .
Proof. Ashok Tiku
Amity University Gurgaon ,Haryana, India
فرنسا
Local time: 19:34
عضو (2010)
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I do not understand what is the implication for translators?
المملكة المتحدة
عضو (2011)
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What a huge step forward in our common quest to promote understanding and bring peoples together. I can scarcely imagine the transformative effects on the profession, my own working day and humanity in general - so exciting!!!!!
Today is World Environment Day. Yesterday was International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression. And now there's one especially for us. Finally the recognition we deserve. Where would the world be without us? #togetherstronger #onelove #oneworld
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