The Orange County Department of Education's (OCDE) Language Services team will host a free event on Wednesday, September 30, celebrating International Translation Day. The event aims to recognize bilingual educators and language professionals whose work helps students and families fully engage with their school communities across Orange County, including Irvine. The celebration is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon at PBS SoCal Studios, located at 3080 Bristol Street, Suite 100, in Costa Mesa.
Participants will have the opportunity to take a behind-the-scenes tour of the PBS SoCal Studios. The program also includes a presentation on PBS SoCal’s Family Math Initiative, along with a special appearance by Carl the Collector, a character from a PBS KIDS series. Breakfast will be provided at the event, through sponsorship from MGM Linguistic Solutions. Space for this gathering is limited.
International Translation Day is observed annually on September 30. This observance recognizes the work of translators and other language professionals, a designation formally established by the United Nations in 2017. The OCDE's celebration underscores the importance of linguistic expertise in education, which benefits the diverse student and family populations throughout Irvine and the broader county.
This year’s International Translation Day celebration follows another milestone for OCDE’s Language Services team: the 10th annual Interpreters and Translators Conference. This three-day conference will take place from September 24 through September 26 at OCDE’s Costa Mesa campus. It serves as a forum for language access professionals to engage in professional learning, networking, and discussions on critical topics such as emerging technologies, ethical practices, and industry best practices.
Attendees of the Interpreters and Translators Conference will have options for in-person, virtual, or hybrid attendance. The conference program features keynote presentations, workshops, and various sessions covering interpretation and translation techniques, cultural competence, and the implications of artificial intelligence in language services. These broader initiatives by the OCDE strengthen the language access infrastructure that supports educational outcomes for families across the county.
Natalia Abarca, OCDE’s Language Services coordinator, commented on the evolution of language access in education. She stated that the conference's 10th anniversary theme, “Rooted in Growth,” reflects how the field has grown from providing essential services to actively advancing equity, inclusion, and student success. Abarca added that over the past decade, practices have been strengthened, innovation embraced, and greater recognition built for the vital role language professionals play in ensuring every family can fully participate in education.
Registration for the International Translation Day celebration is free, but individuals interested in attending should note that space is limited. For additional information regarding the event, interested parties are encouraged to contact OCDE’s Language Services team.
