International Translation Day: Karazin University Celebrates

International Translation Day is celebrated on 30 September, honouring those who help people and entire nations understand one another.

Translation is much more than replacing words in one language with words in another. It is a complex yet creative process that requires an in-depth knowledge of language, culture, history, and context. A good translator reads more than just the text: they read between the lines, noticing what might go unnoticed by the average reader — tone, subtext, cultural allusions, wordplay, emotion or even silence.

At Karazin University, International Translation Day holds special significance, as the University has a long-standing tradition of training specialists in foreign languages and translation. Our translators are people who know how to build bridges between languages, cultures, countries and people.

Today, the translation profession is particularly important for Ukraine. Amid the full-scale war, translators help the world hear Ukraine’s voice and ensure that events in our country are accurately conveyed. Their work determines how well international audiences understand eyewitness accounts, statements by Ukrainian representatives, scientific and cultural materials, people’s stories, and the realities of war. Translation accuracy is especially crucial, as a single mistranslated word can sometimes change the meaning of an entire message, while carefully chosen words can help convey the truth across linguistic and cultural boundaries.

We extend our greetings to everyone who works with words every day: translators, lecturers, students and graduates who have chosen this demanding yet immensely important profession. We wish you inspiration, accuracy and professional confidence, and may you always find just the right words for what might seem impossible to translate!