Pretoria:The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, through the National Language Service Chief Directorate, is participating in the global celebration of International Translation Day (ITD).

According to South African Government News Agency, the event emphasizes the significant role of language practitioners, such as translators, terminologists, and interpreters, whose vital contributions to communication often go unrecognized.

This year's theme, 'Linguistic Diversity and Language Rights,' with the subtitle 'The power of being understood,' underscores the essential function of translation, interpreting, and terminology in promoting inclusion, equity, and participation in a globally connected society.

The Department stated that translation and language practice play a crucial role in fostering social cohesion and promoting nation-building by ensuring communities can access quality governmental information and services, regardless of the language spoken, thereby enabling them to hold the government accountable.

International Translation Day is celebrated on September 30, commemorating the feast day of St. Jerome, who was the first to translate the Bible into Latin from Hebrew. St. Jerome is widely regarded as the patron saint of translators and interpreters worldwide.