UNESCO × Translation Commons · Virtual event
International Translation Day 2025
Indigenous Language Translation, Shaping A Future You Can Trust
About the event
What is the goal of this year’s International Translation Day?
This online event aims to build and reinforce trust in Indigenous language translation by emphasizing the irreplaceable value of human expertise in ensuring accuracy, cultural sensitivity, and the preservation of spiritual significance. We’ll explore the evolving roles of Indigenous language professionals in the digital age, examining how technology, including AI, impacts their work while highlighting the importance of intergenerational collaboration and community-led initiatives. A key focus will be navigating the ethical considerations of AI in Indigenous language contexts, addressing concerns like data ownership, privacy, and bias, to ensure that technology supports, rather than hinders, the vital work of Indigenous language preservation and revitalization.
Event program at a glance
This event will explore the evolving roles of Indigenous language professionals in the digital age, emphasizing the irreplaceable value of human expertise in ensuring accurate, culturally sensitive, and trusted translations. We’ll navigate the ethical considerations of AI in this field, focusing on community-led approaches to leverage technology responsibly for Indigenous language preservation and revitalization, ultimately creating a future where these languages are not only thriving but also safe.
- 01
Theme 1
“The Enduring Trust in Human Voices”
Emphasizes the irreplaceable value of human expertise in Indigenous language translation, asserting that lived experience and community involvement are crucial for accuracy, cultural sensitivity, and preserving the spiritual depth of these languages.
- 02
Theme 2
“Navigating the Future”
Emphasizes the need for an evolving skillset, intergenerational collaboration, and community-led initiatives to shape the future of Indigenous language preservation and revitalization in the digital age.
- 03
Theme 3
“Ethical Pathways in the Digital Age”
Critically examines topics such as AI’s limitations and biases with low-resource languages, addressing crucial ethical considerations like data ownership, privacy, and the development of community-led frameworks for responsible AI use.
Meet the Speakers
This event brings together speakers from Indigenous Peoples Organizations, academia and other public and private organizations working with Indigenous Peoples and language professionals from all over the world.
Ms. Jeannette StewartFounder, Translation Commons (USA)
Mr. Guilherme Canela de Souza GodoiDirector for Division for Digital Inclusion and Policies and Digital Transformation, Communication and Information Division, UNESCO (France)
Dr. Jandhyala Prabhakar RaoProfessor of Linguistics, University of Hyderabad; Member (India), UNESCO-IFAP Bureau; Convener, GAIEN4SG
Ms. Fesaitu SolomoneCEO, The Centre for Pacific Languages (New Zealand)
Dr. Natasha MacDonaldVice President, Heritage Lab (Canada)
Mr. Tex TexinGlobalization Architect, Board of Advisors, Translation Commons (USA)
Contributors
Translation Commons is sincerely grateful to all our behind-the-scenes volunteers who have worked so hard to bring this exciting event to fruition by offering their skills, time, passion, and generosity. Our speakers shed light on the very important and often overlooked area of Indigenous language in its many settings in the modern world. And our partners provided guidance and infrastructure to conceive of and conduct the program. We are truly grateful for the honor to work with all of you. Thank you for your contributions.
ITD 2025 Team →Browse Our Past Events
- Wednesday, September 30, 2026International Translation Day 2026Linguistic Diversity and Language Rights: The Power of Being UnderstoodView event →
- Monday, September 30, 2024International Translation Day 2024Translation, an art worth protecting: moral and material rights for Indigenous languages.View event →
- Tuesday, May 21, 2024World Day for Cultural Diversity 2024Indigenous languages and technology: opportunities for accessibility and diversityView event →
- Friday, September 29, 2023International Translation Day 2023Technology and TranslationView event →
- Wednesday, August 9, 2023International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2023Indigenous Youth as Agents of Change for Self-determinationView event →
- Friday, September 30, 2022International Translation Day 2022A World Without Barriers: Translation and Interpretation in Indigenous LanguagesView event →