Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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September 30, 2025 Culture and education
Every year on September 30, the UN celebrates International Translation Day. This date reminds us that translators play a key role in enabling different countries and peoples to understand each other and work together.
Translation is not just a craft but also an art. Through written and interpreted translation, scientific and literary texts, diplomatic documents, and technical materials become accessible to millions of people. In the international arena, translation helps maintain clarity, trust, and productivity in dialogue.
From Saint Jerome to 21st century translators
The date was chosen for a reason: September 30th commemorates the memory of Saint Jerome, the creator of the canonical Latin text of the Bible and the patron saint of translators. Jerome's major works include the Latin translation of the Old Testament (from ancient Greek) and the Hebrew text of the Old Testament, as well as the revision of the Latin version of the New Testament.
Jerome died on September 30, 420, in Bethlehem. Many centuries have passed since then, but the essence of a translator's work remains the same: to unite people and convey vital messages across linguistic and cultural boundaries.
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Transfer to the UN
Multilingualism is at the core of the United Nations. Six official languages—Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish—ensure that Member States have access to information and the opportunity to participate in its work on an equal footing.
Interpreters in the UN system work daily with a vast array of documents: from General Assembly and Security Council resolutions to member state statements. Although their work often remains behind the scenes, they help convey the essence of UN decisions to the world, ensure transparency, and enable discussions in the meeting rooms.
For example, the Russian Translation Service currently employs approximately 50 people. Due to the importance of the documents the Service's translators and editors handle, high professional standards are imposed on them. In addition to their primary language—Russian—employees must be fluent in the source languages—English and one other official UN language—with a thorough knowledge of their grammar and style. Furthermore, this requires not only language and style knowledge but also broad erudition, as topics range from international law and economics to climate change and humanitarian crises.
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