“Language was just difference. A thousand different ways of seeing, of moving through the world. No, a thousand worlds within one. And translation, a necessary endeavor however futile, to move between them.”

–R.F. Kuang, Babel

The beauty of language lies in its cultural variance, shifting in symbols and intonations across localities and nations. But what becomes of beauty when its met with  foreign counterparts? Misunderstanding boils like a bubbling stew. Wars are waged, conflict spits in the face of peace, and blood is spent. Enter translation, where differing tongues find common ground, utilized in various social affairs that span across empires and ages throughout history. A marvel in human communication, it’s worth mentioning that it has its own form of commemoration known as International Translation Day, holding as well the feast day of St. Jerome, the patron saint of translators which is to be celebrated on September 30, 2025.

The word “translation” according to Language Network, is derived from from the Latin phrase translatio, which means “to bring or carry across,” emphasizing the transfer of meaning from one language to another. Akin to a ship with loaded cargo, translation’s responsibility is to set sail its voyage, ensuring paragraphs of words and the nuances behind it are successfully brought from point A to point B. Its colossal significance is embedded in history, evident from the Epic of Gilgamesh to the invention of the printing press in the 15th century, which altogether made text more accessible for regional dialects to acquire, leading to the genesis of printed media. Translation used to be done professionally, requiring language experts to manually absorb bodies of work and transfiguring it into something entirely new. However, the industrial revolution with its mechanization of labor has subsequently produced the insatiable need for seemingly-instant translation. Thus came along machine translation systems, made possible by the utilization of computers, achieving in addressing this rapid demand. With globalization intensifying as every moment approaches, the digitalization of translation has become indisputable, substantiated with the rise of artificial intelligences that streamline the tedious work it used to entail. This does not change the fact that the human touch is irreplaceable, simply because machines cannot comprehend actual, lived experiences that bring about subtleties and nuances that are ultimately reflected in the ever-changing nature of language. 

In relation to centering humanity’s core function of being the beating heart of translation, the United Nations’ General Assembly adopted resolution 71/288 on language professionals’ contributions in connecting nations and fostering peace, understanding and development, declaring September 30th as International Translation Day, recognizing and commending their efforts as vanguards of knowledge, transparency, and worldwide accessibility. Remember, a tongue that speaks but cannot be understood is no better than a mouth sewn shut.