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September is not just about waving goodbye to summer and diving into new projects; it is also the time when many children head back to school, ready to discover the alphabet or a foreign language for the first time. It is therefore quite fitting that September is packed with three different linguistic holidays: the European Day of Languages on 26 September, the International Day of Sign Languages on 23 September, and the International Translation Day on 30 September.

While the ability to express clearly is crucial in today’s interconnected world, its importance is especially vital in official communication and specialised fields, such as medicine and pharmaceuticals, where there is little room for miscommunication and lack of clarity. In celebration of the power and value of communication, we have prepared a list of a few other, perhaps lesser-known, but just as important holidays that celebrate languages and their role in society.

World Braille Day

Date: 4 January

World Braille Day honours Louis Braille, the brilliant mind behind the Braille system, which transformed reading and writing for the visually impaired. This day raises awareness about accessibility and inclusion, helping people with sight loss navigate daily life. You will notice that all boxes in your medicine cabinet have Braille script embossed on them. The European Medicines Agency guidelines mandate that all key information about the medicine (such as the name and strength) must be written in Braille on the box. Access to medication labels and health-related materials in Braille is vital for enabling visually impaired individuals to manage their health independently and accurately.

International Mother Language Day

Date: 21 February

International Mother Language Day was proclaimed by UNESCO in 1999 with the intention to promote diversity and multilingualism. This date commemorates the 1952 Bengali Language Movement in Bangladesh, where students fought for the recognition of Bengali as their mother tongue. No matter how many languages one may speak fluently, the mother tongue will always hold a special place in their life as the medium through which they can express themselves most clearly and grasp the most complex concepts, which is why communicating in the patient’s native language can make all the difference in improving diagnosis accuracy, patient compliance, and overall quality of care.

UN Language Days

The United Nations recognises six Language Days, each dedicated to one of its six official languages: Arabic (18 December), Chinese (20 April), English (23 April), French (20 March), Russian (6 June), and Spanish (23 April). These days promote multilingualism and cultural diversity within the organisation, highlighting how language is the key to opening doors across the globe.

Reformation Day, observed in Slovenia

Date: 31 October

Reformation Day is a public holiday in Slovenia and celebrates the religious reform initiated by Martin Luther in 1517. A significant aspect of the Reformation was the translation of the Bible into vernacular languages, making religious texts more accessible to the general population. In Slovenia, this day also honours Primož Trubar, the author of the first books in Slovene, published in 1550, and celebrates his contribution to the Slovene language and literature. Trubar, however, is not the first translator of the Bible into Slovene in its entirety. This credit goes to Jurij Dalmatin, who published his translation in 1584.

The diversity of languages across the globe reflects the rich tapestry of human culture and thought. Celebrating these special days reminds us of the importance of preserving linguistic diversity and the crucial role of translators in bridging communication gaps. Translators enable us to access and appreciate the wealth of knowledge, making the world a more connected and understanding place. Alamma is here to help you bridge these gaps and access clients and business partners around the world. Share your ideas with us at info@alamma.eu.