The world is shrinking. This idea is not new. It is true that people connect more than ever. Every day billions of people meet on computer screens. Language makes this possible. Language can have meanings. It can make things easier. The people who help language, who make sure we all understand each other often go unnoticed. These language professionals work hard to keep communication open. These language professionals are the backbone of our society. Experts work behind the scenes to make sure that communication happens. People understand each other's messages. Experts stop a lack of words from breaking the communication. I think that living in a world without translation feels like living in silence. George Steiner said this well. I see that translation does more than swap words. Translation lets us read books from places.
When you read a fan translated manga, when you watch a news broadcast, when you follow safety instructions on a flight you are seeing the hidden work of a linguist. The translator or the interpreter does more than swap words. The translator or the interpreter acts as a mediator. The language is tied to the context. Idioms, humor and historical references do not always translate directly. The work of language professionals becomes an art. The literary translator captures the essence of a novel. The localization specialist makes a video game feel local, to Tokyo, Berlin or São Paulo. The literary translator and the localization specialist create connections that we use every day without thinking. I notice the work of the translator and the localization specialist, in my life.
The industry is broader than most people think. I have seen the industry cover areas where accuracy matters. The conference interpreters work in time at summits. The conference interpreters need stamina to keep a speaker’s tone and detail. In medical settings the translator’s work can be a matter of life or death. The translator’s work makes sure that justice and health care are available even if a patient speaks another language. Transcreators combine language skills with marketing. Transcreators rewrite a brand message so that the brand can reach groups. I have seen many people say that technology will replace transcreators. Technology can speed up work. Technology lacks the empathy and intuition needed for human connection. Machines can translate words. Machines cannot handle the meaning of a peace treaty or the tense feeling of a courtroom.
Choosing a career in translation or linguistics means committing to lifelong learning and being curious about the ‘why’ behind human expression. As global trade and digital nomadism grow, the need for multilingual bridges will only increase. We owe our global connections to these quiet experts who make sure our smaller world remains vibrant instead of dull. They allow us to appreciate the rich, chaotic and beautiful diversity of human thought, turning potential silence into a global conversation.
Drasta Roy
XI - H
