The subtle art of translation

September 30 is International Translation Day, celebrating the impact of a profession whose paradoxical aim is to be as invisible as possible while enabling another person to speak. In our increasingly globalised world, translation is an implicit part of our daily lives. From the subtitled films we watch to great political discourses, trade and publishing to military strategy and user manuals for our household appliances, we are the beneficiaries of an invisible group of multilingual translators that allow us to communicate with other cultures worldwide. This week, Vocable is featuring articles on this profession – with contributions from the heart of its own team. The section, Enjeux, also looks at the question of international cooperation, and in particular, the “special relationship” between the United States and Great Britain. Is the bond that unites these two countries in danger? In recent weeks, the controversial decision to remove American troops from Afghanistan has tarnished the President Joe Biden’s popularity – and his relationship with British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson. On the other hand, the American president is sceptical about the position taken by his British counterpart: Biden is anti-Brexit, partly due to his Irish origins, and opposed to the UK policies over the border in Northern Ireland. Finally, September is also the month of the annual fashion shows in London and Paris. But since the pandemic, and the ever increasing understanding of our ecological footprint, are these events as welcome as in previous years? The clothing industry is coming under fire for its lack of consideration towards its workforce and the environment. In the section Société, we examine the effect of the fashion industry, and fast fashion in particular, asking the question: how can we ensure the clothes we buy are truly ethically produced? Happy Reading!