Each year on Sept. 30, a holiday is observed by people all around the world that has been celebrated since 1953. It’s a feast day that was originally designated for a patron saint (Saint Jerome), but it has grown to transcend all barriers of religion or geography. This year, I am personally sending out greetings to thousands of people in 70 different countries in observance of this important day — that’s far more than I send out for any other holiday.

Yet, if you’re like the majority of people, you’ve probably never heard of this cause for global celebration until now. It’s International Translation Day. You might not think about how translation affects your everyday life, but in reality, there is hardly anything in your life that isn’t touched in some way by translation. As I explain in my new book, Found in Translation (co-authored with Jost Zetzsche), here are 10 reasons why translation is so significant:

1. Translation saves lives.

2. Translation prevents terror.

3. Translation keeps the peace.

4. Translation elects world leaders.

5. Translation creates jobs.

6. Translation fuels the economy.

7. Translation entertains us.

8. Translation tests our faith.

9. Translation feeds the world.

10. Translation makes us fall in love.

See:  Huffington Post