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Today marks International Translation Day. The United Nations designated this date to honor St. Jerome, the translator who rendered the Bible into Latin (his version is known today as the Vulgate) and who is regarded as the patron saint of translators. He is also, for some, the patron saint of “irascible, morbidly sensitive old curmudgeons,” which many scholars will recognize as a relatable caricature. (Scholars, am I right?)
The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution in 2017 that, among other things, states that “professional translation, as both a craft and a profession, plays a vital role in upholding the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, bringing nations together, enabling dialogue, fostering understanding and cooperation, contributing to development, and strengthening world peace and security.” And yes, that’s true. Plus, translated books are a pleasure to read.
Craving more perspectives from the world of literary translation? Check out:
Anton Hur on the myth of the fastidious English reader and what the future holds for literary translation • Idra Novey on writing while translating • Damion Searls on why close reading remains a central practice in literary translation • Kristen Renee Miller on why every writer could benefit from learning to translate • Chloe Garcia Roberts on hopeful signs in the translation field • Moeen Farrokhi on translating Infinite Jest into Farsi • Michael R. Katz on rendering The Brothers Karamazov into English • Elena Marcu on translating Giovanni’s Room into Romanian • Lawrence Venuti on the evolving and changing responsibilities of the translator • Emily Wilson and Leanne Ogasawara in conversation • Lizzie Buehler on how translating Korean literature sharpened her fiction writing • Sasha Senderovich and Harriet Murav on translating Holocaust literature during moments of genocide.
Prefer reading recommendations? We’ve got a curated list for you:
The 10 Best Translated Novels of the Decade • Reading Around the World: 17 Great Books in Translation From University Presses • Translating in Tandem: A Reading List of Collaborative Translated Literature • See the World Through Books: A Reading List from Bookselling Without Borders • Chilling Lit: Six Novels in Translation That Blend Folktales and Horror • Ten Titles in Translation That Celebrate Ukraine.
Or discover even more on translators and translation within our archives.
