Assist. Prof. Dr. Başak Ergil, explaining that thanks to September 30, International Translation Day, the view that translation is not a simple linguistic transfer but a sociological, ideological, cultural, communicative, and human phenomenon has gained importance, said: “In many corners of the world, the importance of translation and the active role of the translator as a cultural expert continue to be visible.”
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, English Translation and Interpreting Department Assist. Prof. Dr. Başak Ergil provided information on the importance of translation and interpreting due to September 30, International Translation Day.
Assist. Prof. Dr. Başak Ergil pointed out the importance of translation, which is the fundamental carrier of intercultural and transcultural communication, a cornerstone of the globalizing world, and a vehicle for the circulation of world cultures and literatures, stating, “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 corners of the world.”
Translation has become a part of life
Assist. Prof. Dr. Başak Ergil, explaining that thanks to the International Translation Day celebrations, the view that translation is not a simple linguistic transfer but a sociological, ideological, cultural, communicative, and human phenomenon has gained importance, continued:
“Since translation is an inseparable part of every segment and sector of life, all of us live our professional, academic, and private lives within a socio-cultural, sectoral, personal background (mental maturity) interwoven with translation. This background necessitates that we are both users or producers and consumers of all kinds of translation services and products in the globalizing world.”
Written and oral translation have become an indispensable part of daily life and the public sphere
Reminding that Turkey has been a mandatory stop for different cultures for centuries due to its geopolitical and sociopolitical position, Assist. Prof. Dr. Başak Ergil said, “The richness of these ancient civilizations has placed translation products and services at the center of life in all its dimensions for centuries.”
Noting that a similar situation applies today because Turkey is very dynamic in terms of human movement and flow, Assist. Prof. Dr. Başak Ergil stated the following:
“In addition to the much-discussed refugee influx and investment waves from the Middle East, health tourism from the Western world has also made written and oral translation an indispensable part of daily life and the public sphere. Now, from healthcare interpreting to broader-scale community interpreting; from written and oral translation within the framework of international trade to sports interpreting, in almost every field, translators guide and undertake the flow of life.”
Everyone is a recipient, consumer, and stakeholder of translation
Ergil stated, “With everything we encounter, such as a simple label on packaging, the computer game we play every day, TV series, and websites, our hands, eyes, and minds are constantly touching translated products.” In this regard, it is possible to say that each and every one of us, without exception, is a recipient, consumer, and stakeholder of translation.
Assist. Prof. Dr. Başak Ergil explained that being able to look more closely and healthily at translation and translators, which are a part of life on every platform from the sustainability of daily life to the transferability of cultural heritage, and seeing the existing translation traffic as one of the many riches in our lands, is very important. She concluded by saying, “The translation practices and translators to whom we owe all kinds of cultural interaction in these ancient lands are undoubtedly among the core values of our society.”