How Is Classical Nahuatl Different From the Nahuatl Spoken Today?

Classical Nahuatl and the Nahuatl spoken today belong to the same linguistic tradition, but they are not identical. Classical Nahuatl generally refers to the form of the language documented in central Mexico around the time of the Spanish conquest and during the early colonial period. Much of what linguists know about it comes from written

Read More »

Do Brazilian and European Portuguese Require Different Interpreters?

Brazilian and European Portuguese do not always require different interpreters, but the interpreter needs to be comfortable with the variety the speakers actually use. Both are Portuguese, and the two are generally mutually intelligible. Differences in pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and formality still affect live interpretation, where there is no chance to re-read a sentence. A

Read More »
Woman in glasses and a linen blazer speaking and gesturing on a busy city walkway, illustrating how Modern Hebrew speakers understand Biblical Hebrew

Biblical Hebrew vs. Modern Hebrew: Can Speakers Understand Both?

A Modern Hebrew speaker can understand parts of Biblical Hebrew without learning an entirely new language. The script, many roots, and much of the vocabulary remain familiar, so comprehension is real but partial. The gap is far smaller than between Modern and Old English. Shakespeare or the King James Bible gives a rough sense of

Read More »
International Translation Day graphic featuring a globe, open translation book, multilingual greetings, and a message honoring translators and interpreters

International Translation Day 2026 Theme: Linguistic Diversity and Language Rights

The theme of International Translation Day 2026 is “Linguistic Diversity and Language Rights,” with the subtitle “The power of being understood.” The International Federation of Translators (FIT) set the theme, and the day falls on Wednesday, 30 September 2026. Each year, this day honours the translators, interpreters and terminologists who help people communicate across languages.

Read More »
On-site conference interpretation: attendees listen through interpreting headsets at an event

Over-the-Phone vs. On-Site Interpretation: Which Is Right for You?

Over-the-phone interpretation connects you with a qualified interpreter remotely through a phone call. On-site interpretation places the interpreter in the same physical location as the people involved in the conversation. Both options can support clear communication, but they work best in different situations. Your choice may depend on how quickly you need an interpreter, where

Read More »
Two business professionals reviewing information together, representing how Japanese cultural norms can influence professional interpretation and cross-cultural communication

How Japanese Cultural Norms Affect Professional Interpretation

A Japanese executive gives a careful reply after hearing a proposal and leaves the decision open. In English, the same reply can sound much closer to agreement. Japanese cultural norms in interpretation affect formality, hierarchy, indirect communication, silence, and the relationship between speakers.  If those signals disappear, a correct rendering can still make speakers sound

Read More »
Professional reviewing documents and working on a laptop while considering Serbian Cyrillic and Latin scripts for translation

Serbian Cyrillic vs. Latin: Which Script Should You Use in Translation?

Serbian is written in both Cyrillic and Latin, and Serbian speakers commonly understand both scripts. In professional translation, script choice should be deliberate. The right option depends on the type of document, the intended audience, the receiving organization, and any formal submission requirements. Cyrillic has an official role in Serbia and is common in government

Read More »
Professional interpreter facilitating a multilingual conversation, illustrating the discussion of whether Jamaican Patois is a language or a dialect.

Is Jamaican Patois a Language or a Dialect?

Jamaican Patois is a language. Linguists classify it as Jamaican Creole, and it has its own documented grammar, vocabulary, sound system, and standardized orthography features that go well beyond what “dialect” or “broken English” would suggest. A Note On Terms: Jamaican Patois, Patwa, Jamaican Creole, and simply “Jamaican” all refer to the same language. Patois

Read More »
Scroll to Top