Translators play an active role as cultural experts

Explaining that the view that translation is not a simple linguistic transfer, but a sociological, ideological, cultural, communicative and human phenomenon has gained importance thanks to the September 30 International Translation Day, Asst. Prof. Başak Ergil stated that "The importance of translation and the active role of the translator as a cultural expert continue to be visible in many corners of the world."

Üsküdar University, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Department of English Translation and Interpreting, Assist. Prof. Başak Ergil informed on the importance of translation and translation on the occasion of September 30 International Translation Day.

Pointing out the importance of translation, which is the main carrier of intercultural and transcultural communication, the cornerstone of the globalizing world, and the means of circulation of world cultures and literatures, Assist. Prof. Başak Ergil said that "Since the United Nations General Assembly declared September 30 as International Translation Day on May 24, 2017, the importance of translation and the active role of the translator as a cultural expert continue to be visible in many parts of the world."

Translation has become a part of life

Explaining that the view that translation is not a simple linguistic transfer, but a sociological, ideological, cultural, communicative and human phenomenon has gained importance thanks to the celebrations of International Translation Day, Prof. Başak Ergil continued her remarks as follows:

"Since translation is an inseparable part of every area of life and every sector, we all live our professional, academic and private lives in a context of sociocultural, sectoral and personal background (mental maturity) integrated with translation. This background makes it necessary for us to be both the user, producer and consumer of all kinds of translation services and products in this globalizing world."

Translation and interpretation have become an inevitable part of everyday life and the public sphere

Assist. Prof. Başak Ergil reminded that Türkiye has been a mandatory destination for different cultures for centuries due to its geopolitical and sociopolitical position, and said: "The richness of these ancient civilizations has put translation products and services at the center of life in all its dimensions for centuries."

Noting that a similar situation is valid today because Türkiye is very dynamic in terms of human circulation and influx, Asst. Prof. Başak Ergil made her remarks as follows:

"In addition to the much-discussed influx of refugees and investment waves from the Middle East, health tourism from the Western world has made translation and interpreting an inevitable part of daily life and the public sphere. Now, translators direct and undertake the flow of life in almost every field, from health interpreting to community interpreting on a larger scale; from translation and interpreting within the framework of international trade to sports interpreting."

Everyone is the addressee, consumer and stakeholder of the translation

Ergil said that "With everything we come across, such as the label on a simple package, the computer game we play every day, TV series, websites, our hands, eyes and minds touch the translated products without interruption," and stated that it is possible to say that each of us, without exception, is the addressee, consumer and stakeholder of translation in this respect.

Assist. Prof. Başak Ergil explained that it is very important to be able to take a closer and healthier look at translation and translators, which are a part of life on every platform from the sustainability of everyday life to the transferability of cultural heritage, and to see the current translation traffic as one of the many riches in our lands, and concluded her remarks as follows: "Translation practices and translators, to whom we owe all kinds of cultural interaction in these ancient lands, are undoubtedly one of the core values of our society."

 

Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)