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On April 1st, Argentina celebrates Sworn Translators Day. The profession of Sworn Translator is governed by Law 20,305 (full Spanish text of the Law can be accessed here: read full text). Although the «International Translator’s Day» already existed, it was appropriate and fair to celebrate the uniqueness of the Sworn Translators with a special day, being the only professional authorized by law to certify a translation.

«The Sworn Translator is a notary, meaning that they certify what they translate, as the very idea of «sworn translation» contains the idea of oath: the legal translator swears that the translation done by them is, according to their loyal knowledge and understanding, accurate and faithful to the original (that is: reliable, trustworthy).» (Roberto Martín Paiva, for the Sworn and Legal Translators Association for the City of Buenos Aires (CTPCBA))

Thanks to the research and history work on the profession’s origins carried out by Sworn Translators María Cristina Magee and Mercedes Pereiro in their book “Brizas de la Historia” (“Breezes of History»), a date in line with its significance was established by consensus. Magee and Pereira recount that it was on April 1st, 1897 when the delivery of Expert Diplomas for Accountants, Calligraphers, and Sworn Translators was first regulated, through a decree by the President of the Nation. Subsequently, in the 20th century, the Sworn Translator career at the university level was created under the Faculty of Economic Sciences of the University of Buenos Aires (UBA), which in the mid-20th century became part of the Faculty of Law.

The Sworn Translator is a natural person with recognized authority by the State (Law 20,305 in Argentina) who is the only qualified professional to faithfully and accurately translate documents from the National language to a foreign language and vice versa, making full faith of its content.

Happy day, Sworn Translators!

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Author: Veronica Magan Laca, Sworn Legal Translator and Interpreter, specializing in international and industrial development (English and Spanish).