Translation is a professional activity
Translation is a professional activity in terms of the degree of competence,
knowledge, experience it requires, as well as its need to adhere to professional
standards. Almost any text which translates the Salesian charism today is an
`open' text and likely to appear in digital form. This simply reinforces the fact
that our translations must adhere to standards.
Every year translators of all faiths and none celebrate World Translators
Day on 30 September. It happens to also be the Memorial of St Jerome, Patron
Saint of translators.
Translation is essential to the Congregation's current em-
phasis. . .
The Rector Major, in his recent letter on inculturation (AGC411) states, quoting
JPII: there is no salvation without incarnation, nor is there incarnation without
inculturation. Arming, therefore, `the natural missionary role of the Church
means essentially bearing witness to the fact that the task of inculturation,
as the total spreading of the Gospel and its subsequent translation in thought
and life still continues today and constitutes the heart, the means and the
scope of the new evangelisation'. This, however, in the context of a letter on
inculturation of the Salesian charism.
At a practical level there is simply no doubt: key texts of the Salesian
charism, the Congregation's major websites, international meetings of the Sale-
sian Family have all required translation and interpretation services, and the
need is increasing. It also runs the risk of being haphazard, stressful, and based
on emergency rather than good planning.
Translators around the Salesian world
Because of the focus on missionary activity in the Congregation, there are cer-
tain regions (e.g. America South Cone, South Asia) where translation needs
and responses have been prominent. There is a new awareness now in Africa-
Madagascar - and in fact this latter Region is providing the bulk of French
translation, in organised fashion, for the Congregation. But translation in every
Region is signicant and important for the inculturation of the Charism. We
only get one chance to do it right.
Possible topics for translators to consider
These are not listed in particular order:
Why the `Salesian' translator (who may be and in many cases is a lay
person) is a key player in the Congregation today
The translator as an inter-cultural mediator
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