10 Most Interesting Language Facts

At Access 2 Interpreters we like to stay aware of interesting facts taking place in our industry. Language can be traced back to over 15,000 years ago, which is why we find this form of communication so fascinating. Did you know that an estimated 7,000 different languages are spoken around the world? Less than 100,000 people speak about 90% of these languages!

According to the BBC, “languages are grouped into families that share a common ancestry. For example, English is related to German and Dutch, and they are all part of the Indo-European family of languages.”

Below we wanted to list 10 interesting facts about language according to the BBC. We have listed the most interesting language facts from where the majority of languages live to the hardest language to learn. Once you read our top 10 language facts you will have an overall better understanding of the numerous languages around us (many of which we translate and interpret at Access 2 Interpreters)

1. Over 2,200 of the world’s languages can be found in Asia, while Europe has only a mere 260.
2. The most widely spoken languages, according to figures from UNESCO (The United Nations’ Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), are: Mandarin Chinese, English, Spanish, Hindi, Arabic, Bengali, Russian, Portuguese, Japanese, German and French.
3. The five most difficult languages to learn are Arabic, Cantonese, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese and Korean.
4. One quarter of the world’s languages are spoken by fewer than 1,000 people and if these are not passed down to the next generation, they will be gone forever.
5. 2,500 languages are at risk of extinction.
6. 75% of the world’s population doesn’t speak a word of English.
7. The United Nations uses six official languages to conduct business: English, French, Spanish, Chinese, Russian and Arabic.
8. The oldest languages known include Sanskrit, Sumerian, Hebrew and Basque.
9. 200 artificial languages have been created since the 17th century.
10. 10.  The so-called ‘critical period’ of language learning, believed to end sometime between ages 4-12.

Out of the 18 languages listed above in the language facts (German, Dutch, Mandarin Chinese, English, Spanish, Hindi, Arabic, Bengali, Russian, Portuguese, Japanese, French, Cantonese, Korean, Sanskrit, Sumerian, Hebrew and Basque), 16 of them are on our list of languages that our experienced staff can assist you with. Both Sanskrit and Sumerian are extinct languages that no one writes in or speaks.

See our list of languages to find out if your language is on the list. Our professionally trained interpreters provide services for Scheduled and Emergency Face-to-Face Interpretation and for Scheduled Telephone Interpretation in over 70 languages locally. We also provide over 180 languages for Instantaneous Telephone Interpretation Services nationwide.

For more information and a free language consultation, contact us today.

Translation is a complicated process, and the accuracy of the translation often has far-reaching implications. If you need a translation completed, it’s critical that you use the best translation company available. However, there are countless options out there that can translate your document, and it can be difficult to determine which is best. Fortunately, we can help. 

Access 2 Interpreters is a leading Columbus translation and interpretation company dedicated to serving Central Ohio and the Midwest. At A2I, we pride ourselves on our quality of work, determination, and dedication to you. We have gathered together what we believe are the most important factors to consider when choosing a translation and interpretation company, so you can make an informed decision. 

Language Proficiency and Native Speaking Ability

While many people claim to be able to speak, read and write in other languages, translation is so much more complex. Translation involves capturing the nuance and lexicon of one language and converting it into another without losing the tone or accentuation. This can be challenging, as languages vary tremendously in their rules, tenses, and uses, particularly for non-native speakers. For example, many of us grew up speaking and learning English. But since English is so very different from Chinese and other Sinitic languages, it can be difficult for non-native speakers to capture the minutiae of text structure and grammatical meanings. Certain words have very different meanings from the present tense to the future. A professional translator will take this into account when translating and provide a final product that captures the original document’s style and meaning.

An Understanding of the Subject Matter and Research Skills

Language is a means or tool by which something is communicated. However, in many ways, the “communicative content” is something that is outside the realm of language, where the subject matter is what drives the translation. That’s why industry knowledge and the ability to research are critical requirements of being a good translator. Many industries have particular jargon that is unique to them, such as medical or legal terms. A professional translator will know the right words to use and how best to convey these specific ideas.

Attention to Detail

Going over pages and pages of documents and translating them can be time-consuming, grueling work. However, a professional translator will persevere. Translating documents demands meticulous attention to detail and a good eye for particulars. A professional translation company will provide you with an impeccable final product, free of spelling errors, translation errors, and misused words. 

Punctuality

Often when a company is contracted to translate a document, there is a hard deadline that must be met. This means that punctuality is paramount. When choosing a translation company for your business, it’s important to pay attention to how quickly and accurately they can deliver a completed project. A professional translation company will provide an accurate deadline that you can expect to be met every time. 

Commitment to One’s Work

Of all of the factors that make a good translation company, commitment to one’s work is by far the most rewarding. A committed translator will be determined and dedicated, have a successful attitude, and approach each project with an open mind. Knowledge and talent are finite, and yet the problems and difficulties translators may encounter are infinite.

How Access 2 Interpreters Can Help

When your company needs an accurate and affordable translation, Access 2 Interpreters can help. We offer extensive translation services in over 50 languages for a wide range of industries, from manufacturing to education. We hold our team of knowledgeable translators to the highest industry standards to ensure quality and accuracy, guaranteed. Whether you need educational material translated or technical manual assistance, A2I can make sure nothing is lost in translation. We can help your company break the language barrier with professional and cost-effective interpretation and translation services. Contact us today to learn about our translation company and what we can do for you.