Beyond Words - Language Blog
Recent Blog Posts
The Meaning and Roots of U.S. State Names
July 11, 2019
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 […]
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Why Don’t Americans Have British Accents?
July 4, 2019
Anyone who has seen a Shakespearean play or historical drama is probably familiar with the differences between American and British accents. The British accent seems so formal and historical, while the American accent can seem like a casual upstart in comparison. So how did the United States shift away from […]
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Why Are So Few Translated Books Published in America?
June 30, 2019
Hansel and Gretel, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, The Emperor’s New Clothes, Pippi Longstocking: although you may not have realized at the time, some of the first stories you remember reading or hearing were translations. In the US, until relatively recently, it was rare for a translator’s name to even be noted […]
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14 Cultural Faux Pas Around The World
June 20, 2019
Planning a trip outside of your own country can be an involved process. On top of the usual tasks of purchasing airline tickets, booking a hotel, deciding what to see, and making reservations, you may also need to obtain a visa and learn some basic foreign language phrases. One thing […]
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Top U.S. Translation Schools: Online Programs
June 10, 2019
Looking to start your career as a translator or interpreter, but can’t seem to find a good program in your area? There are a number of certificate and master’s programs offered entirely online, allowing students to set their own pace of study regardless of their physical location. The list we’ve […]
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What does it mean to be “Fluent” in a language?
June 7, 2019
Many people dream of becoming fluent in a foreign language. Whether you want to land a new job, travel abroad, or understand what your new in-laws are saying, becoming fluent in a foreign language has its benefits. What are the steps? Whatever your reasons for wanting to become fluent, you […]
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What is the Difference Between a Translator and an Interpreter?
May 31, 2019
In our increasingly global society, it is often necessary to communicate to an international audience, whether it’s communication from a multinational corporation, an event that is being broadcast around the world, or an author who wants to translate his or her work of fiction. In order to speak to people […]
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The Rise of Invented Languages, From Klingon to Dothraki
May 22, 2019
Oel naati kam? That’s ‘I see you’ – a typical greeting in Na’vi, the Avatar language. Yes, I’m talking about the big blue people, though if you’re a science fiction fan, it probably doesn’t surprise you to know that an entire constructed language, complete with complex grammar and syntax, corresponds […]
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The Importance of Cultural Competency
May 21, 2019
My German friend, Klaus, did an exchange program in Mexico during his third year of undergrad. After a couple of weeks in the bustling metropolis of Mexico City, he had made a few friends. One night, over some beers in his new friend Juan’s apartment, he was invited to a […]
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A Cup o’ Joe and a Heart Attack on a Rack, Please – The Delicious History of American Diner Lingo
May 11, 2019
Along with Uncle Sam, Civil War daguerreotypes, and hot apple pies on Thanksgiving, diners are one of those nostalgia-inducing cultural artifacts that somehow get under the skin of millennials and baby boomers alike. Diners have long been a quintessential element of Americana, but along with bottomless coffee and the time-honored […]
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