Ten Interesting Animal Etymologies
The animal kingdom brings us a wealth of fascinating, unusual, and enlightening etymologies from around the world. In this article, we explore ten of them. Camel This beast of burden traces its linguistic heritage from the Latin camelus and Greek kamelos. The word has resonances with the Arabic jamala, which means “to bear” or “to […]
The Meaning and Roots of U.S. State Names
Our country has an incredibly rich linguistic and cultural history, a fact that becomes readily apparent by examining place names across the nation. Drawing from Latin, Spanish, French, and a host of Native languages, the names of the states paint a robust picture of the country’s roots. Alabama: From the Choctaw language albah amo, meaning […]
The 3 Most Important Issues in Translating Legal Documents
The need for legal translation is all around us: undergrads who want to study abroad, business professionals who travel internationally, and prospective employees of global companies are just a few of the individuals who require this language service. Types of Legal Documents Some of the most common document types requested in translating legal documents include: […]
Translation Tip of the Week: Utilize Translation Software
If the term “translation software” makes you think of paid language professionals plugging text into Google Translate, guess again! Computer-assisted translation tools are complex, varied, and integral to any seasoned translator’s daily work. This overview will help you learn more about the different types of tools translators use – and why your language services vendor […]
The Air up There: Elevation and Phonology
Imagine someone running up three flights of stairs to convey some astonishing news to a friend. As soon as the excited speaker opens his mouth to talk, the words tumble forward in gasps and bursts, punctuated by pauses that allow him to catch his breath. Only after filling his lungs with enough air can the […]
Translation Tip of the Week: Establish a Relationship with your Translation Agency
Most of us would rather go to the same doctor for medical questions, the same mechanic for car repairs, and the same barber or hair stylist for a trim. The level of trust and personalized knowledge that grows with time is what builds a true working relationship; it distinguishes a dependable business partner from a […]
The Languages of Taiwan: Past, Present, and Future
In published reports from recent years, the Council of Indigenous Peoples (CIP) compiled the results of the first stage of a three-year study into the languages of Austronesia. Focusing on five languages used in Taiwan – a state with 14 officially recognized indigenous groups – the study illustrated a lamentably commonplace trend. Over time, aboriginal […]
Etymology of the Cosmos
The cosmos that surrounds our planet is a vast playground of knowledge – for astronomers, for physicists, for theologians, and even for experienced linguists. Below you will find the word origins of some of the most mesmerizing celestial bodies found in outer space. Cosmos: In usage since ancient times, this word of Greek origin originally […]
15 Foreign Language Resource Centers
In 1990, the U.S. Department of Education embarked on a mission to fund the nation’s most promising foreign language institutions. Known as Title VI Language Resource Centers (LRCs), these groups are housed within universities across the nation and share the aim of developing resources and opportunities for teachers, instructors, and students of foreign languages, helping […]
A Brief History of Sign Language Interpretation
While ad hoc versions of sign language have existed throughout the course of human civilization, it was not until the 17th century that the Western world saw a systematic study of the teaching and learning of sign language. In 1620, a Spanish priest by the name of Juan Pablo Bonet published the first modern text […]