7 03 2025

Ever heard about someone who provides translation services in Bangalore, New Delhi, or any such metro city? What comes to your mind when you think of such an individual? A person sitting at a desk under dim light, working tirelessly to convert the contents written in one language to another? Doesn’t sound like the most exciting work in the world, right? But have you ever thought that we owe a great credit for all the developments of humanity in the past 4000-odd years to these translators? Sounds interesting? Read on.

Translation is not often seen as very glorious or thrilling work. Because, let’s be honest, we either appreciate the knight riding on a horse or the poet crafting magic with words. But what we often do not realize is that behind every knight and poet, there has always been a translator quietly doing his job. Without translators, the flow of wisdom, knowledge, and information between cultures, regions, and continents would have never been possible. And in the absence of a continuous flow of information from one part of the globe to the other, no development could have taken place.

In this article, we will look at some interesting and lesser-known facts about translation, which will perhaps make you appreciate this art of wordsmithery a bit more. So, let’s get started:

World’s Most Translated Text

Every day, countless documents are translated from one language to another. This ranges from mundane medical reports to pieces of sublime poetry; but have you ever wondered what is the one single work to be translated the most?

Many may think it would be a religious work such as the Bible. However, that is not the case. The single most translated document in the world is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Prepared by the United Nations in 1950, the work outlines the rights of every person, regardless of their age, gender, nationality, race, or creed. UDHR has been translated into over 500 languages, signifying the power of translation in spreading information and awareness across linguistic boundaries.

History of Translation

Today, translation is an integral part of our everyday lives. From our regular news to official paperwork, everything runs on a series of translations to ensure a smooth flow of information. But have you ever wondered, what was the first work ever to be translated?

One of the earliest works to be translated was the ancient Sumerian epic of Gilgamesh. In India, ancient scriptures were translated into Chinese by Buddhist scholars, which allowed the wisdom of the subcontinent to spread out to other parts of Asia and the world. In more recent times, a significant translation was Sirr-i-Akbar, which was a translated version of the Upanishads into Persian. This work later reached the West, where it opened up new horizons for Indian philosophy and wisdom.

Hardest Languages to Translate

Translation is often seen as pretty straightforward. It is assumed that there is always an equivalent word in the target language (to which a work is being translated) for the words used in the source language (in which the work originally exists). For instance, ‘Food’ in English has its Hindi equivalent in ‘Khana.’ However, this is not always the case. Some languages developed in a very different way than others, and the modes of expression are very unique in them.

One of the most difficult languages to translate is Chinese. The language has a unique structure where a single word has multiple meanings, which keep changing as per the context in which they are applied. As such, translating anything into Chinese requires a very deep knowledge of the language and vigilance, as a single misplaced word can lead to major misunderstandings.

Another language that is particularly difficult to translate is Finnish. Although it belongs to Europe, the Finnish language comes from the Uralic language family and not the Indo-European family, from which the majority of European languages are derived.

Emergence of Professional Translation

Initially, translation was only meant for literary works. But as people from different cultures started collaborating in various fields such as business, science, medicine, and law, it led to the emergence of non-literary translations. This eventually resulted in the formation of professional translation services. Today, you can find professional translation services in Bangalore, London, New York, and all the major cities of the world. These services facilitate everyday interactions between people from diverse backgrounds in cosmopolitan centers.

FAQs

1. What are the major types of translation in modern times?

Some of the major types of translation are document translation, literary translation, medical translation, legal translation, and machine translation.

2. How do modern translators differ from ancient ones?

Modern translators work for private clients under a predetermined deadline. They have access to modern technology and well-established professional procedures, which allow them to do their work quickly and efficiently.

3. Can I get my personal documents translated in cities like Bangalore?

Yes, you can avail document translation services in Bangalore to get your personal documents, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, identity cards, and more, translated.

4. Are documents translated by professional translation agencies accepted by authorities?

Established professional translation services can certify their work, which testifies to the accuracy and authenticity of the translated work. You can get your personal documents translated from translation services in Bangalore such as Bhasha Bharati Arts to make them acceptable by authorities.

5. Are medical translation services in Bangalore costly?

No. Medical translation services in Bangalore are not always costly. Translation services like Bhasha Bharati Arts offer reasonable prices; however, the exact expenses depend on the scope and complexity of the work.

Summary

Translation services have always been an invaluable asset to the growth of humanity. They have abetted the spread of knowledge and wisdom from distant corners of the world. While in ancient times, the mantle of translation was taken up by clerics and academics, this art is now practiced by professional translators working for various agencies.

For those with translation needs, one of the best translation companies in Bangalore is Bhasha Bharati Arts. Excelling in the field of translation for many years with high-quality work and impeccable professionalism, Bhasha Bharati Arts is for everyone, whether individuals or businesses.

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