MINSK, 26 September (BelTA) – Permanent Representative of Belarus to the OSCE Andrei Dapkiunas made a statement on the International Translation Day at the meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council on 26 September, BelTA learned.
"In the run-up to the professional holiday of translators, we would like to pay a tribute of gratitude and appreciation to these, unfortunately, almost invisible heroes of the diplomatic front," Andrei Dapkiunas said. He emphasized that the OSCE, like any other multilingual organization, depends on the professionalism and hard daily work of these people.
“As a person who believes that in the beginning was the word, I know that no machine translation or artificial intelligence will ever replace the living human contribution of language professionals to effective international communication. Nothing can replace a good translator who can sensitively grasp and convey nuances of meaning, feel emotions and empathize with the speaker. In other words, fill interpersonal human communication with the light of life and warmth of heart,” Andrei Dapkiunas said.
He believes that the existential dilemma facing translation as a profession (machine or man) is consonant with the nature of the challenge that the profession of diplomacy is now trying to tackle - institutions or man. “In the current situation of extreme polarization of the human community, the prevalence, on the one hand, of the indestructible belief of different social groups in the unconditional righteousness of their own interests and motives and, on the other hand, the catastrophic destruction of communication between people and communities of people, the emergence of insurmountable walls of hostility and mistrust, turning our thoughts to the topic of translation and a contribution of translators to the diplomatic and universal dialogue gives us cause for reflection,” the diplomat noted. “This is an occasion to reflect on how important it is, while undertaking joint diplomatic efforts in Vienna and in capitals in search of ways to achieve harmony, greater trust, security and cooperation in the OSCE area, to notice and encourage the focus not so much on the interaction of structures but primarily on interpersonal dialogue and the ability to sympathize and empathize. Finally, this is an occasion to reflect on the critical importance of respecting the human element, both in the profession of interpreters and diplomats,” Andrei Dapkiunas said.
As it has been reported, Belarus co-sponsored a resolution on the role of professional translation in bringing nations together, facilitating dialogue, understanding and cooperation, contributing to development and strengthening world peace and security adopted by the UN General Assembly on 24 May 2017. This resolution proclaimed September 30 as the International Translation Day.
"In the run-up to the professional holiday of translators, we would like to pay a tribute of gratitude and appreciation to these, unfortunately, almost invisible heroes of the diplomatic front," Andrei Dapkiunas said. He emphasized that the OSCE, like any other multilingual organization, depends on the professionalism and hard daily work of these people.
“As a person who believes that in the beginning was the word, I know that no machine translation or artificial intelligence will ever replace the living human contribution of language professionals to effective international communication. Nothing can replace a good translator who can sensitively grasp and convey nuances of meaning, feel emotions and empathize with the speaker. In other words, fill interpersonal human communication with the light of life and warmth of heart,” Andrei Dapkiunas said.
He believes that the existential dilemma facing translation as a profession (machine or man) is consonant with the nature of the challenge that the profession of diplomacy is now trying to tackle - institutions or man. “In the current situation of extreme polarization of the human community, the prevalence, on the one hand, of the indestructible belief of different social groups in the unconditional righteousness of their own interests and motives and, on the other hand, the catastrophic destruction of communication between people and communities of people, the emergence of insurmountable walls of hostility and mistrust, turning our thoughts to the topic of translation and a contribution of translators to the diplomatic and universal dialogue gives us cause for reflection,” the diplomat noted. “This is an occasion to reflect on how important it is, while undertaking joint diplomatic efforts in Vienna and in capitals in search of ways to achieve harmony, greater trust, security and cooperation in the OSCE area, to notice and encourage the focus not so much on the interaction of structures but primarily on interpersonal dialogue and the ability to sympathize and empathize. Finally, this is an occasion to reflect on the critical importance of respecting the human element, both in the profession of interpreters and diplomats,” Andrei Dapkiunas said.
As it has been reported, Belarus co-sponsored a resolution on the role of professional translation in bringing nations together, facilitating dialogue, understanding and cooperation, contributing to development and strengthening world peace and security adopted by the UN General Assembly on 24 May 2017. This resolution proclaimed September 30 as the International Translation Day.
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