Words Work but aren’t the Whole Story

The philosopher Descartes suggested that as humans are the only animals that use language (which is arguable) they are the only animals that really think. Was he right? Well he undoubtedly wasn’t right, and we know that animal’s internal lives are most likely just as complex and nuanced as our own.

Yet he was right that language is a very human trait and whilst there are forms of advanced communication throughout the animal kingdom, we are the only creatures that use real words. For example, we write down words, teach each-other complex languages and even learn several languages simultaneously.

It is clear that language is one of the backbones of our civilisation, however its importance has perhaps been over-emphasised in the past. We know that words are not the whole story when it comes to communication, and body language is important too, in some instances even more so.

Also, whilst all words have some ascribed meaning, this meaning can shift and change in juxtaposition with other words. When you choose business translation it’s very important to realise this: that a good translation is about the entirety of a piece, as opposed to the meaning of individual words.

Any translator services that are worth their salt will understand their target language, not just in terms of words, but also in terms of cultural connotations and preoccupations. This will ensure a translation that’s not only accurate, but watertight in terms of its meaning.