Say it like a local: a traveler’s guide to International Translation Day
Translation Day field guide 2026
Say it like a local: a traveler’s guide to International Translation Day
Today, 30 September, the world thanks its translators. Borrow a bit of their skill for your next city break: six cities, thirty phrases worth knowing, a quiz on the words that trip travelers up, and a free way to hear every street’s story in your own language.
Quick answer: International Translation Day falls on 30 September every year; in 2026 it’s a Wednesday. The date honors St. Jerome, who translated the Bible into Latin, and the UN General Assembly formally recognized the day in 2017 to celebrate the work of translators and interpreters.
St. Jerome died on 30 September 420, after decades spent turning Hebrew and Greek texts into Latin that ordinary readers could follow. Sixteen centuries later, translators still do the same quiet job: they make sure a meaning survives the trip from one language to another.
Travelers depend on that work more than they realise. More than 7,000 languages are spoken around the world, and you’ll only ever learn a few. The good news is that you don’t need fluency for a great trip. You need five words, a bit of nerve, and a way to understand what you’re looking at when you stand in front of it.
Why a local greeting beats a perfect translation
Translation apps are excellent at menus, signs and train announcements. What they can’t do is make the first ten seconds of a conversation feel human. That part is on you, and it takes less than you think.
Open in the local language, then switch
Start with “Bonjour” or “Buongiorno” before asking whether someone speaks English. Most people will happily switch once you’ve made the effort, and many will answer more warmly than if you’d opened in English.
Politeness words do the heavy lifting
“Please”, “thank you” and “excuse me” cover most of the situations you’ll face in a day. They soften every request, from asking directions to squeezing past someone on a crowded tram.
Let apps handle text, not moments
Point your camera at a menu or a ticket machine. Put the phone away when you’re ordering, thanking your host or chatting with the person at the next table.
False friends quiz
Would you get lost in translation?
These five words look familiar to English speakers and mean something else entirely. Tap your answer.
In Madrid you say you’re embarazada. What did you just tell everyone?
It means pregnant. If you’re embarrassed, say “me da vergüenza”.
An Italian hotel tap is marked C. What comes out?
C stands for caldo, hot. Cold is F, for freddo. Test it with your hand first.
A bottle in a German shed is labeled Gift. What is it?
Gift means poison in German. A present is ein Geschenk.
You’re leaving a Budapest metro station. Which sign do you follow: Kijárat or Bejárat?
Kijárat is the exit and Bejárat is the entrance. “Ki” means out, “be” means in.
A Paris bakery chalkboard promises fresh pain. What are you buying?
Pain is bread. Pain au chocolat is the one with chocolate inside.
Answer all five to see how you did.
New on Wingman
Hear the city’s story in your own language
Signs and menus are one problem. History is another. A plaque in Latin or a guidebook in someone else’s language leaves you looking at old stones without knowing why they matter.
That’s why every Wingman audio tour is now free in 7 languages. Choose yours in the app, put your earphones in and walk at your own pace, while local guides explain what happened on the square you’re standing on.
- 7languages
- 650+audio tours
- 155+cities
- €0to download
Language checklist
Beat the language barrier before you land
Tap the tips you want to remember. We’ll keep them saved on this device.
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Download Wingman for freeTranslation Day and travel: quick answers
When is International Translation Day 2026?
It’s on Wednesday, 30 September 2026. The day is held on 30 September every year.
Why is International Translation Day on 30 September?
It marks the feast day of St. Jerome, the scholar who translated the Bible into Latin and is considered the patron saint of translators. He died on 30 September 420.
Is International Translation Day a UN observance?
Yes. The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution in 2017 recognizing 30 September as International Translation Day, highlighting the role of language professionals in connecting nations.
Which phrases should I learn before a trip to Europe?
Hello, thank you, excuse me, where is…, and the bill please. These five cover most daily situations in cafés, shops, museums and on public transport.
Are Wingman audio tours available in other languages?
Yes. All Wingman audio tours are free in 7 languages. The app has 650+ audio tours across 155+ cities and is free to download on iOS and Android.
Practise your phrases on a free city walk
Every city in the phrase decoder has self-guided audio walks waiting in the app.
Explore any city in your language
Download Wingman for free, choose from 7 languages and let local guides tell you what happened right where you’re standing.
Download Wingman for free