Did you know that there are over7,000 languages in existence around the world? So it’s no surprise that the translation services industry continues to grow at a rapid rate.
But why stop at 1 fact? We thought we’d give you a better insight into the translation & language services industry by sharing some fun facts about translation…
International Translation Day
International Translation Day is celebrated annually on the 30th of September and is also a feast day for St. Jerome who is a translator from Christian history. He translated the Old Testament into Latin directly from the original Hebrew. The 30th of September marks the day of his death.
The top dogs
The most targeted languages for translation are English, French, German, Italian and Russian, making them the top 5 languages in the translation industry.
Just 5% of books from 2000 to 2010 were translated into Chinese
During the first decade of the 21st century, over 75% of books were translated into French or German, but only 5% into Chinese. This is surprising because Chinese is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world!
Translators can translate around 520,000 words per year
A professional translator can translate around 250 words within an hour. A translator working full time can translate around 520,000 words per year, wow!
Lots to learn!
The most widely spoken languages are Chinese, Spanish, English, and Hindi.
As old as the hills
The translation profession is more than 2,000 years old! That’s right: the Old Testament is thought to have been translated into Greek in the 3rd century BC, which would make it the oldest recorded translation.
Most translated authors
The top 3 most translated authors are Agatha Christie, Jules Verne and William Shakespeare.
Translator town
According to the Translation Association of China, there are more than 300,000 certified translators. That is enough to fill a whole town of people.
Billion-dollar baby
Last year’s estimates put the translation industry’s annual revenue at $49 billion worldwide, and it’s continuing to grow fast with predictions stating it will reach over $52 billion by 2021.
The easiest language to translate
There is a language that is far easier than English to translate. According to most translators with years of experience, Spanish is the easiest language to translate. It is because, in the Spanish language, words written are identical to the way they sound, which makes it the most accessible language to learn and translate.
If you have any more interesting facts to share about translation then please comment with them below!
Greetings, fellow language enthusiasts! As someone deeply immersed in the world of linguistics and translation, allow me to share my passion and expertise on this fascinating subject. My extensive experience in the field, coupled with a commitment to staying abreast of the latest developments, positions me as a reliable source for insights into the translation and language services industry.
Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the article you provided:
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International Translation Day:
- Celebrated annually on the 30th of September.
- Honors St. Jerome, a historical translator who translated the Old Testament into Latin directly from the original Hebrew.
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Top Targeted Languages:
- English, French, German, Italian, and Russian are the most targeted languages for translation.
- These languages hold the top positions in the translation industry.
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Book Translation Statistics:
- Only 5% of books from 2000 to 2010 were translated into Chinese.
- In the first decade of the 21st century, over 75% of books were translated into French or German.
- Surprising given that Chinese is one of the most widely spoken languages globally.
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Translator Productivity:
- Professional translators can translate around 250 words per hour.
- A full-time translator can translate an impressive 520,000 words per year.
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Most Widely Spoken Languages:
- Chinese, Spanish, English, and Hindi are among the most widely spoken languages globally.
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Ancient Roots of Translation:
- The translation profession dates back more than 2,000 years.
- The Old Testament is believed to have been translated into Greek in the 3rd century BC, making it the oldest recorded translation.
-
Most Translated Authors:
- Agatha Christie, Jules Verne, and William Shakespeare are the top three most translated authors.
-
Translator Community in China:
- The Translation Association of China reports over 300,000 certified translators, forming a substantial community.
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Translation Industry Revenue:
- Last year's estimates placed the translation industry's annual revenue at $49 billion worldwide.
- Predictions suggest the industry will continue to grow, reaching over $52 billion by 2021.
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Easiest Language to Translate:
- Spanish is considered easier to translate than English.
- Spanish's phonetic nature, where words are written as they sound, contributes to its accessibility for translation.
In conclusion, the diverse and dynamic landscape of translation and language services is highlighted by these engaging facts, reflecting the rich history, global impact, and ongoing growth of the industry. If you share a passion for languages, feel free to contribute more interesting facts in the comments!
