International Translation Day is observed on 30 September to honour the translators and interpreters who help the world communicate across languages.

The 2026 theme, chosen by the International Federation of Translators, is 'Linguistic Diversity and Language Rights', with the subtitle 'The Power of Being Understood'. It highlights how language access opens doors to justice, health and education.

UNESCO and Translation Commons are holding an online celebration bringing together indigenous language speakers, linguists, educators and policymakers. The event sits within the UN's Decade of Indigenous Languages.

The United Nations formally recognised the day in 2017. It is held on the feast of St Jerome, the patron saint of translators, who translated the Bible into Latin. through a General Assembly resolution. St Jerome died on 30 September in the year 420.

Language experts say machine translation helps but cannot replace human translators for nuance. The day is a reminder that every language deserves to be heard and understood.