Every year on September 30th, we celebrate International Translation Day, honoring the vital role that translators and language professionals play in connecting cultures and fostering global understanding.
But why September 30th? It marks the feast of St. Jerome, the translator of the Bible into Latin, and the patron saint of translators. Since 1953, this day has been a nod to the long-standing tradition of translation, a profession that's been shaping history for millennia.
Here are some fun and fascinating translation facts for 2024:
Global Demand Boom: In 2024, the translation industry is expected to grow at a rate of 7.5%, with more companies realizing the importance of reaching multilingual audiences. The digital age is propelling the demand for content localization across e-commerce, media, and tech sectors.
AI in Translation: While AI tools are gaining traction, did you know that 72% of businesses still prefer professional human translators over machine translation? Why? Because only humans can fully capture the nuance, tone, and cultural relevance of a message.
Languages on the Rise: The most translated languages in 2024 are still English, Spanish, and Chinese, but there’s a growing demand for translations in Arabic, Hindi, and Swahili, reflecting the increasing influence of emerging markets.
A World of Translated Literature: Did you know that about 50% of all books published worldwide are translations? From classic works of literature to contemporary bestsellers, translation brings the voices of authors across languages to readers everywhere, enriching global literature and fostering cultural exchange.
Translation Jobs on the Rise: The role of translators continues to expand. By 2024, there are over 640,000 professional translators worldwide, specializing in everything from legal and medical documents to gaming and software localization.
Translation - An Art Worth Protecting: This year's theme highlights the vital role of translators as creators of original works, emphasizing the importance of copyright protection. As AI technologies continue to evolve, it's more crucial than ever to safeguard translators' rights to attribution, control over their work, and fair remuneration.
This International Translation Day, let’s celebrate the professionals who help build bridges between languages, cultures, and people. At YOKO, we’re proud to be part of this mission, ensuring that your message speaks to everyone, no matter where they're from.
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