30th September yearly is International Translation Day.

30th September yearly is International Translation Day.

We know all around the world that one major challenge people are welcomed with when they go/travel to a new place is the issue of language.

There are so many languages and when we do not understand ourselves we tend to use pictures or hand gestures or get an interpreter!

We commend all those individuals, groups, NGOs, Charities, Foundations and others who engage in one form of promotion of diverse languages and their translations for our common good or the other. 

God bless your labour and work of love.

May we not do anything in vain.

Remember 1 Corinthians 14:2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.

5 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.

Remember the ultimate law is love.

God is love.

There is no answer outside of God.

Your life in God is most important.

In all your research, submit to Jesus Christ and be fervent.

Many people do not know about short hand let alone about stenographers. 

We are more attuned to those who stand by and translate while persons of different tribes and tongues try to communicate with each other.

But International Translation Day transcends that. 

Unlike people like Francis who is gifted with languages I tell people I'm the exact opposite. I tried, I've prayed for the gift, I've bought books, got audio aid, gotten even a teacher but I've not had commendable results in my bid to learn languages. Inability to grasp languages made me sit for fewer exams than my classmates in junior WAEC. How many languages can you speak?

Can you translate a language you speak to someone else who needs to understand?

Can you read a language you speak?

Can you speak a language you can read?

What other ways can translations be done for proper communication?

I encourage the learning of languages so much. I appreciate people who speak their languages and more so with the addition of another person's native language.

BUT, the big but is that I detest it when people become ethnic bigots. Nobody's language is superior to another, finish! I do not support people using their languages to gossip at school or in the office against those who do not know their language. I also do not like the idea of having our languages imposed on others in the name of work, education or business.

Many of us wrote WAEC exams based on languages that were not ours, just like English and French. Personally in my state, pidgin is the major language because nobody would want to speak the other's language even when they understand it fluently.

I have also had to school, serve, work and carry out research and TLF activities in places where I did not understand their native language.

How did I cope? How I coped is all thanks to God!

Tina Tobo

PSLC, BL, Ph.D. 

... the ultimate law is love.

#May 

#Communication