Language focus

Thanks to a number of initiatives rolled out in schools and communities in recent years, Latin is experiencing somewhat of a revival, with lessons and clubs springing up nationwide. Opinions are divided in educational circles as to the viability of teaching a ‘dead’ language, but nevertheless, demand is increasing. It seems that Latin is not…

Following the interest in our Country – Did You Know section on our website, The Translation People are producing a series of new, exciting articles dealing with language matters pertinent to EU-member countries. The Translation People cover all your translating and interpreting needs in any world language, but we have decided to dedicate our first…

The English language is peppered with words and expressions from all around the globe thanks to centuries of trade. According to a study by the publishers of the Oxford dictionary, some 28% of English words have their origin in Latin and a further 25% in French. In addition, old German, Norse and Dutch have also…

The first translations into English are credited to Geoffrey Chaucer, who in the 14th century translated two of Giovanni Boccaccio’s works from Italian. The Knight’s Tale is the first of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, and is in fact a loosely translated and abridged version of one of Bocaccio’s epic poems. Like many modern translators, Chaucer was…

Thinking outside the box may impress your boss, but our much-loved business jargon is not faring well on foreign shores. With UK exports on the increase, research has shown that Brits doing business abroad need to be straight talking to stay on top of the game – as our jargon laden lingo can be seriously…

According to a recent EU poll 86% of Danes and 89% of Swedes (Norway is not a member of the EU, and therefore not part of the poll) claim to have English as “a language other than their mother tongue”. What the poll does not mention, however, is their proficiency. Many people with an academic…

The history of translation dates back as far the earliest written texts. Here we examine three of the best known examples, which have paved the way for modern day translators. Created in 196 BC, the Rosetta stone is perhaps the most well known example of ancient translation. Now exhibited in the British Museum in London,…

The period known as Modern English is generally considered to have begun during the 15th century. The factors defining what constitutes Modern English are the Great Vowel Shift and an increased standardisation of English, partly as a result of the arrival of printing technology. The Great Vowel Shift was a major change in pronunciation which…