Although nowadays people don’t give much thought to it, translations have a very interesting story throughout history. The word translation comes from the Latin language and it actually means to bring across. Also, translation, meaning communicating the meaning between two texts is distinct from interpreting, which targets oral or signed communication. Knowing that, one can deduce that translation first appeared only after the appearance of writing. The need of translation has always existed, communication being the most important part of any society and, as more and more societies with different languages appeared, just as such, the translator also became essential.
This article explores the fascinating journey that translation has taken throughout history – from its ancient origins to the certified translation services that exist today. Whether you’re talking about preserving historical texts or facilitating professional communication, certified translation still is indispensable in bringing languages closer and bridging the gap between cultures. Looking at the modern world, translation has become even more important nowadays, due to the internet and how it brings people of different cultures and spoken languages closer than they have ever been before.
The Origins of Translation
The first work known to have been translated comes from the Mesopotamian era and it is a poem called The Epic of Gilgamesh. It was translated into the Asian language. At the same time, many other ancient translation works were made by Buddhist monks that would translate Indian texts into Chinese. In Ancient Greece however, many works were translated by Roman poets for entertainment or in order to be adapted into literary works. It is also known that Cicero would utilize translation services, and would generally translate speakers’ speech.
A very important part of translation was that of religious texts. After the invention of printing, dating back to the 3rd century and the increase of spiritual theories, the need for religious text translation grew. The Bible was first written in Classical Hebrew, which is an archaic form of Hebrew, and was first translated into Greek. The Bible continues to be the most translated written word, being translated into 2400 languages all over the world.
The Importance of Translation
Many fields of research could not continue with the lack of translation. From translating literature works that were written throughout history, to deciphering hieroglyphs for a better understanding of cultures that have not existed for centuries, translation is of upmost importance for connecting people to information. They are also the ones who make sure that history is documented, studied, preserved and passed down through generations, through research and translation of old texts.
Not only that but translation is also vital for bridging the gap between people, enabling the exchange of ideas and connecting the world. Cultural exchange could not be possible without being able to translate between languages either. It allows us to experience art made from different countries, such as film or music, making us able to better understand one another and giving us access to different cultures. Even in fields like science, translation can help by sharing the ideas between researchers in record time, as such ensuring collaboration, regardless of spoken language.
Scotland’s Multilingual Heritage
When the Romans arrived in Britain, they encountered tribes speaking different varieties of the Brythonic language, a Celtic tongue. After the Roman withdrawal, another Celtic group, of Irish origin, settled in the west. These settlers spoke Old Irish, which is another form of the Celtic language, and which is known today as Scottish Gaelic. To the south, waves of Anglo-Saxon settlers, including Angles, Saxons and Jutes crossed the Channel, bringing with them West Germanic dialects. Centuries later, Vikings from Scandinavia arrived, furthering the complexity of linguistics of the region.
This linguistic diversity held with it a constant need of translation and interpretation over multiple centuries. With so many languages, such as Gaelic, Scots, Norse and English all coexisting, and the essential need of treaties, trade and cultural exchange, the role of translation became crucial in maintaining relationships and mutual understanding. This is the historical context which laid the groundwork for the development of certified translation services today.
Certified Translation Services in Scotland: Preserving and Bridging Languages
With its rich linguistic heritage, translation services are key to the communication within Scotland’s diverse community. Either for economic progress or social interactions, the ability to communicate in an effective manner is of utmost importance. Therefore, certified translation services in Scotland have a very important role in enhancing the harmony between different communities by breaking down language barriers. These services ensure that, regardless of linguistic background, any individual can access essential services such as legal, medical or governmental procedures.
Companies are also in need of translation services, as such being able to promote business growth. By using certified translation services, different companies can reach a wider audience and build relationships with international partners. Translations are a key component whether we’re talking about customer service, marketing or technical fields, fostering both local and international success.
The Crucial Role of Certified Translation Services
Whether legal, technical or medical documents that are translated must have the expertise of a professional, in order to assure the greatest attention is given to the task at hand. English speaking countries, like the USA, UK Australia and New Zealand require these translations to include a statement that is made by the certified translator who attests to the document’s accuracy, their credentials and also their contact details. Such translations are also required by various government bodies, universities as well as most foreign embassies.
The professionals making the translation must also understand the cultural context of specific words and phrases, in order to ensure that the translation is both precise and appropriate. As such, the client is sure that the document is clear, as well as culturally sensitive. Seeing how these documents are generally highly technical in the nature of their content, a certified person is required in order to ensure the best outcome and also avoiding the consequences of the said document being mistranslated.
