Are Translators and Interpreters Part of the “Gig Economy?”
On August 12th, the California State Legislature held a committee hearing on a controversial bill known as “AB5.” The bill is an expansion of the groundbreaking California Supreme Court decision made last year, in which the courier service Dynamex was ruled to have misclassified its workers as independent contractors rather than employees. The Dynamex ruling […]
5 Fascinating Facts about the Sinhala Language
Sinhalese, also known as Sinhala, is the native language of the Sinhala people. Over 16 million Sinhala people live in Sri Lanka, making them the island’s largest ethnic group. Sinhala people can trace their origins from Indians who traveled to Sri Lanka around 540 BC. Most Sinhalese speakers live in Sri Lanka, but Sinhala is […]
Eight travel destinations where English alone won’t cut it
English speakers have it relatively easy when it comes to traveling abroad – it’s the most popular second language in the world, commonly studied in 55 countries. And in most major international cities, even in the countries on this list, you will have an easier time finding English speakers than in more rural locations. But […]
Why Being Bilingual Isn’t Enough To Be a Translator or Interpreter
Many people are bilingual. They might have grown up in another country, had relatives who spoke another language, or they have studied for years to become an expert. They might even sound like a native in either language. However, having knowledge of another language isn’t the only skill required to be a successful translator or […]
How Does Diet Shape Language? New Study Links Diet Changes to How We Pronounce “F” and “V”
Linguistically, “f,” “v,” and related sounds are thought to be relatively new. As recently as 20,000 to 100,000 years ago, humans may not have been able to produce these unique sounds. A recent study published in Science Magazine seeks to uncover the origins of the sounds. By linking to the development of agriculture, changes in […]
Why Don’t Americans Have British Accents?
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 the traditional British accent in […]
What does it mean to be “Fluent” in a language?
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 may want to know exactly […]
What is the Difference Between a Translator and an Interpreter?
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 in their native language, it […]
24 Countries That Have French as Their Official Language
French is one of the most popular and fastest-growing languages in the world. Outside of Europe, you can also hear the language on nearly every continent, including Africa, North America, South America and even the Caribbean. It is the official language in 29 countries, the procedural language for the European Union (EU), and the only […]
3 Countries Where German Language Training Matters for Business Relations
German is the EU language with the largest number of native speakers. As a result, its use is widespread across many countries internationally, and is especially prevalent throughout the business world. There are three countries in particular where understanding German really matters for business professionals. Read on to learn about those three countries and why […]