The Bridge Between Languages and Cultures

Bhubaneswar: (Report- Sanatan Mahakud): Translation serves as a powerful medium that establishes connections between different countries, their languages, and their cultures. It facilitates the exchange of ideas and removes the distance between languages, creating crucial links in the fields of knowledge, science, art, literature, commerce, and human relationships. The role of translation in the development of civilization is profoundly important, as it enables diverse communities to understand each other and work together toward common goals. 
Translation: Bridging Cultures and Connecting Nations


The United Nations emphasizes that professional translation "plays an important role in bringing nations together, facilitating dialogue, understanding and cooperation, contributing to development and strengthening world peace and security". This international body recognizes translation as indispensable for "preserving clarity, a positive climate and productiveness in international public discourse and interpersonal communication".g

International Translation Day and Global Recognition

The significance of translation has received global recognition through the establishment of International Translation Day on September 30th. This date celebrates the feast of St. Jerome, the Bible translator considered the patron saint of translators. St. Jerome, a priest from North-eastern Italy, was known primarily for translating most of the Bible into Latin from Greek manuscripts of the New Testament . His work exemplifies the enduring importance of translation in sharing knowledge across linguistic boundaries.
On May 24, 2017, the UN General Assembly formally adopted resolution 71/288 acknowledging "the role of language professionals in connecting nations and fostering peace, understanding and development," and declared September 30 as International Translation Day. This official recognition underscores how translation contributes to global cooperation and mutual understanding among nations.

Translation's Unifying Role in India's Diverse Landscape

India represents a multilingual nation with remarkable diversity in languages, cultural practices, and traditions. Despite these differences, translation serves as one of the primary foundations supporting India's unity. The country's numerous languages and cultural variations find common ground through the work of translators who enable communication and understanding between different linguistic communities.
UNESCO's perspective on languages reinforces this concept, noting that "languages, with their complex implications for identity, communication, social integration, education and development, are of strategic importance for people and the planet" . There is "growing awareness that languages play a vital role in development, in ensuring cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue" , which is particularly relevant in the Indian context.

Online Event Highlights Translation's Importance

On the occasion of International Translation Day, Indian translation literature organized an online program featuring prominent translators and literary figures from across various states. The event provided a platform for discussion about the role of translation literature and its contemporary relevance.
The program featured eminent participants including senior translator Madhusudan Das as chairperson. Members of Indian translation literature Sanatan Mahakud and Jayashree Dora managed the proceedings. The discussion included translation literature critics such as senior literary figure Jagdish Rai Kulari from Punjab, Head of the Hindi Department at Nagaland University Professor Munnī Caidhuree, and Director of the Language-Literature and Translation Department at Sri Sri University Odisha Dr. Rindon Kundu.
Other distinguished contributors included Professor Satyanarayan Acharya, Dean of the Literature and Culture Department at the National Sanskrit University in Tirupati, Sahitya Akademi Award winner renowned literary figure Majid Majji from Kashmir, and Assistant Professor of the Hindi Department at Government PG College Aligarh Uttar Pradesh Dr. Bijendra Pratap Singh. These experts discussed the role of translation literature and its current requirements in contemporary perspective.
Broader Implications for Global Communication
The art of translation extends far beyond mere word substitution. It involves conveying meaning, context, and cultural nuances that enable genuine understanding between people who speak different languages. As Translation Commons in partnership with UNESCO highlighted in their 2023 International Translation Day event, this year's theme "Unveiling the Many Faces of Humanity" places special emphasis on "scrutinizing power dynamics within the realm of translation, particularly concerning indigenous language communities". This highlights how translation can both reflect and influence power balances while serving as a bridge connecting cultures.
In an increasingly interconnected world, the United Nations notes that "technology plays a pivotal role" in translation practices, with discussions exploring "the intersection of cutting-edge technologies and translation practices, from machine translation to artificial intelligence". These emerging tools can both "enhance and complicate the work of translators", particularly in preserving and promoting indigenous languages in the digital age.

Conclusion: Translation as a Cornerstone of Human Understanding

Translation stands as a fundamental pillar of human civilization, enabling the sharing of knowledge, preservation of cultures, and fostering of mutual understanding across linguistic divides. Its importance continues to grow in our increasingly globalized world, where clear communication between different language communities remains essential for peace, development, and cooperation.
The work of translators and interpreters, often conducted behind the scenes, ensures "the seamless flow of information across linguistic boundaries, thereby facilitating communication in our ever-more interconnected world". As we recognize and celebrate their contributions on International Translation Day, we acknowledge that their work helps build bridges of understanding that unite humanity in its rich diversity.