Celebrating the Art of Translation: A Heritage Worth Preserving!

On September 30, 2024, we’re thrilled to honour Saint Jérôme, the patron saint of translators, as we celebrate World Translation Day under the enchanting theme: “Translating: An Art to being Protected!” But why is translation worthy of such celebration? The answer is simple yet profound: the human brain possesses an irreplaceable gift for building bridges between people and cultures!

Eloge Mulumba, a dedicated sworn translator and manager of the TradExpert Team, shares a pivotal lesson from his time at the Translation and Interpreting School of the National Pedagogical University. During a class on simultaneous and consecutive translation techniques, Professor IRUMU introduced a captivating example: “Mum is doing the laundry with Marie.” The students were challenged to explore the connection between these two characters, and the results were nothing short of fascinating! Mother and daughter, aunt and niece, boss and employee—the possibilities were endless! This exercise beautifully illustrates how context can transform the art of translation.

In our age of technological advancement, it’s crucial to remember that while machines can assist, they cannot replicate the nuanced understanding that humans bring. Today, the role of the translator has evolved: it’s not just about translating words but also about enriching and supervising the work of technology to ensure the true meaning shines through. Protecting translation today means recognising the invaluable contributions of human translators as the heart of this process.

On this special day, let’s unite in our commitment to safeguard this precious art form and celebrate the incredible talent of translators around the globe!