3 Embarrassing Professional Translations That Failed US Presidents
Being president comes with a lot of responsibilities, one of them being constant communication with other countries’ leaders and occasional speeches to their people. These speeches are very often memorable, yet sometimes not for good reasons. Here are 3 cases where professional translations failed US presidents, causing great embarrassment to them and the US and showing why choosing professional translation services is absolutely essential.
President Carter’s Professional Translations Mistake In Poland
One of the most famous cases where a professional translation service failed a president was in 1977 when President Jimmy Carter traveled to Poland for a news conference. At this conference, the Polish crowd thought that President Carter expressed his sexual desire for Poland, which of course was not what he intended for the Polish audience to hear. What happened was that President Carter’s translator used Russian terms when attempting to interpret in Polish, which led to the audience believing that President Carter harbored erotic thoughts for Poland. At this same event, Carter’s interpreting service failed yet again and interpreted President Carter’s sentence “I left the United states this morning” into “I left the United states, never to return.” Of course, this was, once again, not his intended message.
President Carter’s Professional Translations Mistake In Japan
Another case where poor President Jimmy Carter was disappointed yet again by his national interpreting service was in 1981 when he visited a small Methodist college in the Japanese countryside. President Carter was simply telling a story and then the audience burst into laughter. Confused, Carter turned to his interpreter and they revealed that they didn’t interpret his speech correctly and told the audience to simply laugh at the funny story President Carter told, thus demonstrating the value of professional interpreting services.
President Truman And Japanese Professional Translations
This case is perhaps the most infamous professional translation mistake in history. When the Allies were close to victory in World War II, the United States sent Japan terms for their surrender in an attempt to end the global conflict. When the press inquired Japanese Premier, Kantaro Suzuk, about the terms, Suzuk responded with the Japanese word “Mokusatsu.”
Improper Japanese translation arguably sparked the US’ vicious next move. There are two meanings behind this word, the first being “no comment/withholding comment,” and the second being “a treat with silent contempt.” International news agencies decided to use the word’s second meaning, which was perceived as a threat by the Americans and led to the decision to drop the atomic bomb.
True Professional Translations Are Essential
Many presidents have utilized interpreting, translation, and localization services and not all of them were failures. For example, the United States’ first President George Washington often had a translator by his side to interpret for members of the French and Dutch communities during the 18th century. Professional translations have been a need for centuries, and they are very often the hidden factor behind many of the most pivotal moments in history. However, one must invest in the best translation services. Luckily, Language Connections has a global network of industry expert translators and interpreters in 200+ languages to ensure that nothing is lost in translation.
About Language Connections:
Language Connections is one of the top language service companies in the US. Over the last 30 years, we’ve focused on providing the best business translation services, interpreting services, as well as interpreter training and customized language training programs. In addition to top-tier corporate language training, we offer certified corporate interpreters and professional business translation services in 200+ languages. Our network includes linguists with backgrounds in all major industries. They’re ready to meet your needs, whether they’re for technical translation services, legal translation, government translation services, international development translation services, education translation services, life sciences translation, or something else. Reach out to us today for a free quote on our cost-efficient and timely translation services, interpreters, or other linguistic services.

Language Connections Inc.
2001 Beacon Street, Suite 105,
Boston, MA 02135
Phone: +1-617-731-3510
Email: service@languageconnections.com
5 Interesting Facts About Ukrainian And Russian Translation
The increase in learners of the Ukrainian language has increased 200% in 2022 on the world’s most popular language learning app, Duolingo. This growing interest in learning Ukrainian has caused many people to notice the similarities it has with the Russian language. The Ukrainian language and Russian language may appear similar at first glance, but there are in fact many distinct features of these Slavic languages. Let’s compare the two languages by taking a look at 5 interesting features of Ukrainian and Russian translation .
Shared Roots Of Ukrainian And Russian Translation
Ukrainian and Russian are both East Slavic languages of the Indo-European language family. Their common ancestor can be traced back to the Old East Slavic language used in the 10th to 13th century. However, due to political strife after the 13th century, the then Ukrainians inhabited a different geographical area than they do today. This geographical split as well as the outside influence of other languages caused Russian and Ukrainian to become distinct entities. As a result, translation services were often needed during treaty negotiations, as members of the two countries could no longer understand each other.
Pronunciation Differences Between Ukrainian And Russian Translation
To the untrained ear, Russian and Ukrainian sound extremely similar. But to professionals who participate in advanced language translation, they can hear the different nuances between the two Slavic languages. For example, both languages have the letter “Г г” in them, but it is pronounced as an [h] in Ukrainian and a [g] sound in Russian. Also, whereas Ukrainian has a consistent [o] sound, Russians pronounce “o” as an [a] or [ə] sound depending on the context. This is why professional interpreting services are needed when handling these languages; improper pronunciation can make a huge difference.
Grammar Complexities Between Russian And Ukrainian Translation
There are quite a few similarities Russian and Ukrainian grammar share. For example, both languages have three genders (masculine, feminine and neuter); both have the same noun case markings which is also used for their adjectives and pronouns; and both have the same verb conjugations. However, there are some significant differences between the two languages that can be quite tricky to catch. For example, Ukrainian has three ways to express the future tense whereas Russian only has two. Also, Russian has six grammatical cases whereas Ukrainian has seven (the additional case being a vocative case). Language translation services must be careful to capture the distinctions between these two languages as Russian-to-Ukrainian translation can easily go wrong due to these small differences.
The Increased Need For Ukrainian Translation
Due to the large displacement of Ukrainians in 2022, the US has welcomed around 180,000 Ukrainian refugees to aid the country in the midst of its conflict with Russia. A significant step to helping these refugees is connecting them with multilingual interpretation services. Ukrainian families must meet with attorneys and social service workers in order to successfully enter the US, but inevitably there is a huge language barrier between US English speakers and these Ukrainian refugees. Thus, language interpreter services are an essential bridge to help their successful transition to life in the US. Additionally, businesses should consider website translation services and localization into Ukrainian to accommodate these refugees to ensure they can access the products and services available in the US for any of their needs.
Hiring A Ukrainian Translation Provider
The increase in requests for Ukrainian interpretation services has doubled since pre-invasion of Ukraine, and it is likely that this need will stay and perhaps increase in the coming years. We need to be ready and equipped with proper, professional language translation services instead of Google translation from Russian to Ukrainian (which a council needed to resort to due to not enough language interpreter services being available). Luckily, Language Connections has a wide pool of highly-skilled interpreters and translators in over 200+ languages. Contact us today for professional translation and interpreting services for your business and help bridge the gap for these Ukrainian refugees.
About Language Connections:
Language Connections is one of the top language service companies in the US. Over the last 30 years, we’ve focused on providing the best business translation services, interpreting services, as well as interpreter training and customized language training programs. In addition to top-tier corporate language training, we offer certified corporate interpreters and professional business translation services in 200+ languages. Our network includes linguists with backgrounds in all major industries. They’re ready to meet your needs, whether they’re for technical translation services, legal translation, government translation services, international development translation services, education translation services, life sciences translation, or something else. Reach out to us today for a free quote on our cost-efficient and timely translation services, interpreters, or other linguistic services.

Language Connections Inc.
2001 Beacon Street, Suite 105,
Boston, MA 02135
Phone: +1-617-731-3510
Email: service@languageconnections.com
4 Reasons Why Translation For Immigration Matters
The US immigration process can be confusing and difficult, even for someone who speaks English. The process is even more arduous for those immigrating to the US who don’t speak English. Translation for immigration can help non-English speakers navigate the complex immigration process. There are many translation services that are available to help those going through the immigration process. The following are four reasons why translation for immigration is important for non-English speakers going through the immigration process.
1. Translation For Immigration And Document Translation
Immigration is inherently a bureaucratic affair. Immigrants need to submit endless amounts of paperwork, which can be extremely overwhelming, especially if the immigrant doesn’t speak English. Since all documents submitted to immigration authorities must be in English, including foreign documents, prospective immigrants need immigration documents translation to comply with immigration law. Many of these documents need special legal translation as well. The entire immigration process can be derailed if these documents are not submitted correctly.
2. Translation For Immigration And Interpreting Services
Part of the suite of immigration translation services that are so vital for non-English speaking immigrants is interpreting services. Immigrants have to go through multiple interviews with immigration officials. These meetings can decide the fate of prospective immigrants, so it is imperative that they fully comprehend the authorities’ questions and responses. Professional interpreting can help prospective immigrants clear up any misunderstandings, in addition to making sure that the authorities understand the immigrants clearly as well.
3. Translation For Immigration Helps Maintain Equality Of Opportunity For All
Immigrants to the US who speak English have a significant advantage compared to non-English speaking immigrants. English speakers don’t have issues of comprehension with immigration authorities and don’t need to worry about not being able to read official documents. Translation for immigration gives non-English speakers the ability to go through the immigration process on an equal footing with those who already speak English.
4. Translation For Immigration Eases Stress For Immigrants
Anybody who has gone through the immigration process can attest to the fact that it is a grueling and stressful process. For prospective immigrants who don’t speak English, the process is even more stressful. By using the services of a professional translation service company, new immigrants can rest easy knowing that all of their translation needs will be taken care of. All translated documents will be submitted with a certification of accuracy to prevent any issues with the authorities. In addition, translation service companies prioritize confidentiality; prospective immigrants do not need to be worried about their private information being stolen and sold by untrustworthy actors.
About Language Connections:
Language Connections is one of the top language service companies in the US. Over the last 30 years, we’ve focused on providing the best business translation services, interpreting services, as well as interpreter training and customized language training programs. In addition to top-tier corporate language training, we offer certified corporate interpreters and professional business translation services in 200+ languages. Our network includes linguists with backgrounds in all major industries. They’re ready to meet your needs, whether they’re for technical translation services, legal translation, government translation services, international development translation services, education translation services, life sciences translation, or something else. Reach out to us today for a free quote on our cost-efficient and timely translation services, interpreters, or other linguistic services.

Language Connections Inc.
2001 Beacon Street, Suite 105,
Boston, MA 02135
Phone: +1-617-731-3510
Email: service@languageconnections.com
5 Ways Scientific Translation Aids Global Progress
The scientific community has a reputation for being globally minded and international in scope. After all, a key component of the scientific method is the discussion and sharing of ideas and theories among scientific peers. The entire world benefits from the advancements made by scientists who interact with their counterparts in different countries. Sometimes, language can be a barrier to this vital collaboration. Scientific translation services, including life sciences translation, aim to help bridge the language gap in the scientific community so that the truly important work can be done, free from any language barrier anxieties. The following are five ways translation services can benefit the scientific community.
1. Scientific Translation and the English-Speaking World
For better or worse, English is the global language of science. For scientists in non-English-speaking countries, having their work professionally translated into English can make a huge difference. Increasing the amount of scientific work being recognized in the English-speaking world can lead to greater scientific progress; progress is only strengthened by adding more voices to the corpus of scientific literature.
2. Scientific Translation and Academia
Peer-reviewed academic journals are the lifeblood of the scientific process. By publishing in journals scientists are able to show off their new ideas and have their peers evaluate the merits of their data, arguments, and conclusions. Of course, scientists can only review articles in their native language. Academic translation can increase the number of articles that can be reviewed by translating them into a common language. Translation service companies that provide education translation services can contribute to the scientific process by bringing scientists around the world together through their publications.
3. Scientific Translation Can Help Secure Funding
While not as exciting, funding is a vital part of the scientific process. Labs and scientific teams need to secure funding in order to carry out their experiments. Translating research grant proposals into popular languages can help labs reach as many funding sources as possible. This kind of specific document translation can lead to more funding being awarded, which could potentially lead to more scientific breakthroughs.
4. The Spread Of Data And Knowledge
Scientific progress flourishes when there is an abundance of data and knowledge spreading through the scientific community. We in the English-speaking world can sometimes forget that there is great work being done in other countries. By utilizing scientific translation, important data, and the conclusions drawn from it, can be shared with the entire scientific community benefiting all of humanity.
5. Interpreting At Conferences
Scientific conferences are great places for ideas to be exchanged in the scientific community. These are important events where scientists get to show their work to their peers and get valuable feedback. Scientists from all over the world participate in these events. With such a large, multilingual audience, conference interpreting can be an extraordinarily useful service. While many scientists speak English on a fundamental level, their comprehension would be significantly boosted if interpreting services were provided. Conversely, real time interpreting is critical if a non-English speaker is delivering a talk to a primarily English-speaking audience.
About Language Connections:
Language Connections is one of the top language service companies in the US. Over the last 30 years, we’ve focused on providing the best business translation services, interpreting services, as well as interpreter training and customized language training programs. In addition to top-tier corporate language training, we offer certified corporate interpreters and professional business translation services in 200+ languages. Our network includes linguists with backgrounds in all major industries. They’re ready to meet your needs, whether they’re for technical translation services, legal translation, government translation services, international development translation services, education translation services, life sciences translation, or something else. Reach out to us today for a free quote on our cost-efficient and timely translation services, interpreters, or other linguistic services.

Language Connections Inc.
2001 Beacon Street, Suite 105,
Boston, MA 02135
Phone: +1-617-731-3510
Email: service@languageconnections.com
5 Biggest Developments in the Foreign Language Translation Industry
Foreign language translation continues to be the main pillar of the language translation service industry. Continuous growth in the industry is fueling innovation as translation service companies develop or adopt new technologies and techniques to better support their clients. The following are five of the most important new developments in the translation services industry.
1. The Rise of Machine Translation
As computing technologies become more advanced, translation agencies are beginning to rely more on machine translation. Fifteen years ago the quality of translation that a computer could provide was relatively low. A lot of work had to be done to edit and proofread translations coming from a machine. Translation algorithms have come a long way since then; although translators still cannot solely rely on computers, machine translation has helped boost the efficiency and speed of translation.
2. AI, Neural Networks, And Foreign Language Translation
AI advancements are occurring at breakneck speed. New machine learning algorithms and progress in processing power are being applied to translation. New machine translation programs are being developed with a neural network foundation. As the program translates, human corrections are fed to it, which allows the neural network to learn from its mistakes. These programs will continuously get better, and could provide important services to areas in the world that don’t have access to language translation services. In the future, these neural networks could even be applied to services like medical interpreting and legal interpreting services.
3. Podcasting, Video Production, And Foreign Language Translation
The last decade has seen a proliferation of podcasts and widely consumed videos. Popular podcasts could have millions of viewers/listeners, while the number of videos and views on YouTube has grown tremendously. This trend presents a great opportunity for translation service companies to provide video translation services as well as subtitling services. This opportunity will only become more lucrative as more people consume these new types of media.
4. Remote Foreign Language Translation And interpreting
The COVID-19 pandemic fundamentally altered the way people work. It is common now for companies to operate on a hybrid model: working from an office for part of the week while working remotely from home the rest of the time. This shift created a new burgeoning market for language service providers. Remote interpreting services and other types of remote translation have become a mainstay in services provided by translation agencies. It is likely that this new trend will continue to grow as companies shift to the hybrid model.
5. An Increased Demand For Medical Translation
Another effect of the pandemic has been an increase in the demand for medical translation services. In America, new public health information is being released continuously by city, state, and federal authorities. This information needs to be understood by all people, many of whom may not understand English well. Consequently, it can be expected that the demand for medical translation will continue to grow over time.
About Language Connections:
Language Connections is one of the top language service companies in the US. Over the last 30 years, we’ve focused on providing the best business translation services, interpreting services, as well as interpreter training and customized language training programs. In addition to top-tier corporate language training, we offer certified corporate interpreters and professional business translation services in 200+ languages. Our network includes linguists with backgrounds in all major industries. They’re ready to meet your needs, whether they’re for technical translation services, legal translation, government translation services, international development translation services, education translation services, life sciences translation, or something else. Reach out to us today for a free quote on our cost-efficient and timely translation services, interpreters, or other linguistic services.

Language Connections Inc.
2001 Beacon Street, Suite 105,
Boston, MA 02135
Phone: +1-617-731-3510
Email: service@languageconnections.com
The Role of Interpreting Services in the Fight For Ukraine
On February 24th, 2022, the military forces of the Russian Federation invaded Ukraine. While the world musters support for the Ukrainian people, battles are raging all over the country. Help is coming in all forms; the western world is sending aid, weapons, and money to support the Ukrainian war effort. While not as flashy as some of the other types of aid being provided, interpreters and interpreting services are providing essential support to the Ukrainian people and government.
On-The-Ground Interpreting Services
Europe, and especially Eastern Europe, is currently experiencing one of the worst refugee crises in recent history. According to the UN, upwards of two million people have fled the country into neighboring Romania, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary. These countries have planned for this crisis, and have already set up refugee camps to deal with the large influx of people fleeing the war. As the refugees arrive, they need different types of language interpreting to help them. Volunteers at the camps and other refugee areas are on the ground directly providing interpreting and translation services. This may not be professional interpreting, but just being able to explain to the refugees what humanitarian services they can obtain, and what their next steps are is a tremendous help. Volunteers can also provide medical interpreting, a critical service that can directly save lives by making sure medical professionals are receiving the most accurate information about their patients. As refugees leave the camps and move into various European cities, they will need legal interpreting services to help them in their adjustment.
Interpreting Services Help Ukraine Spread Its Message
In addition to assisting people on the ground, interpreting services are helping the Ukrainian government spread its message. This is especially true for Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky. Zelenksy has been releasing speeches on a regular basis, both for domestic and international audiences. His speeches to the Ukrainian people are usually simultaneously interpreted into English, so most people in the western world can listen to Zelensky’s speeches and get regular updates from an official source. Simultaneous interpretation also helps on the world stage. In an already famous incident, an interpreter nearly broke down while interpreting Zelensky’s speech to the EU. The interpreter later reported that she was so moved by his words that she broke into tears while interpreting.
The Role of Remote Interpreting
Remote interpreting services are also playing an important role in diplomacy. Many different leaders are meeting and speaking with Zelensky. The professional interpreting that both parties use makes sure that communication is clear and effective, which increases the efficiency of diplomatic talks. The faster diplomatic proceedings occur, the quicker vital aid can be approved and sent to where it’s needed most.
About Language Connections:
Language Connections is one of the top language service companies in the US. Over the last 30 years, we’ve focused on providing the best business translation services, interpreting services, as well as interpreter training and customized language training programs. In addition to top-tier corporate language training, we offer certified corporate interpreters and professional business translation services in 200+ languages. Our network includes linguists with backgrounds in all major industries. They’re ready to meet your needs, whether they’re for technical translation services, legal translation, government translation services, international development translation services, education translation services, life sciences translation, or something else. Reach out to us today for a free quote on our cost-efficient and timely translation services, interpreters, or other linguistic services.

Language Connections Inc.
2001 Beacon Street, Suite 105,
Boston, MA 02135
Phone: +1-617-731-3510
Email: service@languageconnections.com
3 Ways Simultaneous Interpreting Can Benefit Your Business
Despite the fact that simultaneous interpreting is one of the most efficient types of interpretation, it is also one of the most demanding for the corporate interpreter. One should know that there are two main types of interpretation: simultaneous interpretation and consecutive interpreting. Whereas simultaneous interpreting is done without any breaks in a very limited time, consecutive interpreting is provided after a pause or at the end of a few sentences. Hiring a translation company for simultaneous interpreting is a great idea if your business hosts conferences or negotiations where time and spontaneity are an essential factor. Conference interpreting services are an excellent resource, as they ensure language is not a limiting factor. Having a business interpreter to translate a conference for your company can help to portray your company as a detail-oriented brand committed to cultural sensitivity and transparency.
Here are three ways your business can benefit from simultaneous interpreting services:
1. Simultaneous Interpreting Ensures Spontaneous Communication
If you hire a company interpreter for your business, all parties involved in an important meeting or conference are able to communicate in a spontaneous manner. If your company is able to hire a dedicated language service provider, your organization can rest easy knowing that important linguistic nuances are taken into account by the provided interpreters. Simultaneous interpreting offers the possibility and opportunity of having a meeting as natural as possible. For instance, if you have to negotiate price for a new product or service, the spontaneity of simultaneous interpreting can make sure that all parties involved in the negotiations can express themselves freely without important information being lost in translation.
2. Time Can Be Saved Thanks To Simultaneous Interpreting
Time can be a limiting factor for both the company as well as the interpreter. Since simultaneous interpreting as well as translation services can be expensive, your organization can save some money because the interpreter can work more efficiently. Additionally, saving time is a plus as most companies are really busy. As a result, using this type of interpretation can help meetings go straight to the point and save more time to work on strategy.
3. Interpreting Eliminates Language Barriers
In addition to ensuring spontaneous conversations and saving time, simultaneous interpreting can eliminate the language barrier. This type of interpretation can help the conversation go so smoothly and naturally that participants might forget that they do not speak the same language as other participants. However, it is important to choose your translation company carefully to ensure accuracy and efficiency. For example, if conducting a conference at the UN, only experienced government interpreters with experience with relay interpreting should be hired. As good as it can be for your business to invest in simultaneous interpreting, hiring a bad interpreter for the job could greatly hurt your business.
About Language Connections:
Language Connections is one of the top language service companies in the US. Over the last 30 years, we’ve focused on providing the best business translation services, interpreting services, as well as interpreter training and customized language training programs. In addition to top-tier corporate language training, we offer certified corporate interpreters and professional business translation services in 200+ languages. Our network includes linguists with backgrounds in all major industries. They’re ready to meet your needs, whether they’re for technical translation services, legal translation, government translation services, international development translation services, education translation services, life sciences translation, or something else. Reach out to us today for a free quote on our cost-efficient and timely translation services, interpreters, or other linguistic services.

Language Connections Inc.
2001 Beacon Street, Suite 105,
Boston, MA 02135
Phone: +1-617-731-3510
Email: service@languageconnections.com
2 Outrageous Video Remote Interpreting Mistakes
Video remote interpreting is an important part of the services provided by interpreting companies. For many people who are deaf or hard of hearing, remote interpreting is a vital service. Often, places like hospitals don’t have access to an on-site ASL interpreter. In these situations, access to video remote interpreting is crucial so that the user can understand the information being provided to them. Remote interpreting services can be useful for others as well, not just for those individuals with hearing disabilities. Unfortunately, there can be many problems associated with this service. The following are two egregious cases surrounding the use of video remote interpreting. Hopefully, by studying these examples future tragedies can be averted.
Video Remote Interpreting And Silva v Baptist Health S. Fla. Inc.
Cheylla Silva and John Paul Jebian were two plaintiffs in a case against a healthcare organization, Baptist Health South Florida Inc. The plaintiffs, who are deaf, visited two hospitals run by this organization. They needed an ASL interpreter to provide medical interpreting services for them. Video remote interpreting in hospitals for these types of situations is standard, in addition to in-person interpreters or phone interpreter services. The plaintiffs however claimed that they were not provided with an in-person interpreter and the video remote interpreting services that was provided did not work well and caused them to miss vital medical information. The 11th circuit federal appeals court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs arguing that Baptist Health could have done more to provide adequate communications.
The Case of Tomei v Parkwest Medical Center
The case of Scott Tomei is similar to the one above. Tomei went to the emergency room at Parkwest Medical Center complaining that he was experiencing pain in his right leg. Tomei, who is also deaf, claims his request for an ASL interpreter was refused; he was given a video remote interpreting device instead. Tomei was unable to fully communicate with doctors, so he was sent home. A few days later, he was rushed to the University of Tennessee Medical Center, where part of his right leg had to be amputated due to complications that were not previously dealt with. Had Tomei been provided a specialist in medical interpreting, he would have been able to effectively communicate with the doctors and avoid this tragic outcome. At the very least, Parkwest Medical Center’s video remote interpreting services should have been working as intended.
About Language Connections:
Language Connections is one of the top language service companies in the US. Over the last 30 years, we’ve focused on providing the best business translation services, interpreting services, as well as interpreter training and customized language training programs. In addition to top-tier corporate language training, we offer certified corporate interpreters and professional business translation services in 200+ languages. Our network includes linguists with backgrounds in all major industries. They’re ready to meet your needs, whether they’re for technical translation services, legal translation, government translation services, international development translation services, education translation services, life sciences translation, or something else. Reach out to us today for a free quote on our cost-efficient and timely translation services, interpreters, or other linguistic services.

Language Connections Inc.
2001 Beacon Street, Suite 105,
Boston, MA 02135
Phone: +1-617-731-3510
Email: service@languageconnections.com
3 Moments Where Conference Interpreting Changed History
Interpreting as a profession has existed since time immemorial; archeological and other historical evidence shows that even in ancient Mesopotamia interpreters were used in diplomatic proceedings. The 20th century, however, ushered in the era of conference interpreting. Beginning with the Paris Peace Conference (1919) and the founding of the League of Nations, consecutive and simultaneous interpretation became necessary as official proceedings and other diplomatic events needed to be interpreted in multiple languages. Professional interpreting has now become the norm, as opposed to the ad hoc interpreting done before the 20th century. The following examples show how conference interpreting impacted key historical events in the past century.
Conference Interpreting At The Paris Peace Conference Of 1919
The Treaty of Versailles that ended the First World War was born out of the Paris Peace Conference. This conference is generally accepted as the first time consecutive interpreting services were used. A wide range of countries participated at the peace conference, with the five major states being the United States, Great Britain, France, Italy, and Japan (these being the victorious Allied powers). Because of the multitude of languages present at the conference, a more formal interpreting service had to be provided. Consecutive interpreting was performed by interpreters working for individual politicians and diplomatic delegations. Prior to this event, there were no professional interpreting services that could be hired. Once the conference was over and the League of Nations was born, it was understood that a new type of formal interpreting was needed.

Simultaneous Interpreting and the Nuremberg Trials
Although the technology for simultaneous interpreting was developed during the interwar period, the first time it was used in a formal setting was during the Nuremberg Trials. The official languages of the trial were English, French, Russian, and German; the defendants were granted the right to speak and listen to the proceedings in their native language. The organizers of the trial were concerned that consecutive interpreting would take too much time and drag out the proceedings. Therefore, they implemented a new mode of interpreting: simultaneous interpretation. Interpreters were split into four sections, with each section containing three interpreters. This way, the whole trial was simultaneously interpreted into the four official languages. After the trial was finished, the judges, some of whom were skeptical of the arrangement, all agreed that it would have been impossible to proceed with the trial without the use of simultaneous interpretation.
Conference Interpreting Today
Conference Interpreting continues to play an important role on the international stage. Interpreting has come a long way since the days of the Nuremberg Trials; many different interpreting companies exist today that provide professional interpreting services, including simultaneous remote interpreting services. The UN would not be able to operate under its current conditions without the use of modern simultaneous conference interpreting. In the age of lighting fast communications, the importance of these interpreting services cannot be understated.
About Language Connections:
Language Connections is one of the top language service companies in the US. Over the last 30 years, we’ve focused on providing the best business translation services, interpreting services, as well as interpreter training and customized language training programs. In addition to top-tier corporate language training, we offer certified corporate interpreters and professional business translation services in 200+ languages. Our network includes linguists with backgrounds in all major industries. They’re ready to meet your needs, whether they’re for technical translation services, legal translation, government translation services, international development translation services, education translation services, life sciences translation, or something else. Reach out to us today for a free quote on our cost-efficient and timely translation services, interpreters, or other linguistic services.

Language Connections LLC
2001 Beacon Street, Suite 105,
Boston, MA 02135
Phone: +1-617-731-3510
Email: service@languageconnections.com
How Interpreting Services Have Changed at the Olympics
Every two years, the world’s attention is centered around the Summer and Winter Olympic games. Since the debut of the modern Olympic Games in 1896, these competitions have showcased the very best of humanity’s athletic achievement. Because of the multinational nature of these events, interpreting and translation services play an important role in the logistical planning of the Games. The nature of these services has changed over the years. While conventional interpreting services are still used, there has been an ongoing shift to use more cutting-edge AI and machine translation.
The First Interpreting Services At The Games
In previous Olympic Games, most of the language interpreting was performed in the traditional way. While communication technology has drastically improved over the years, the modes of interpreting have generally remained the same. For the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics, many different types of interpreters were hired; interpreters with more professional experience were hired for simultaneous interpretation and consecutive interpreting. In addition, conference interpreters were used for press conferences after events, medal ceremonies, and other official proceedings. Hundreds of volunteers were used as liaison interpreters, helping athletes and staff in day-to-day activities. At the 2016 Rio Games, thousands of volunteers were hired to help in a similar way. These volunteer interpreters were vital to the overall effort to make the Games run smoothly.
The Changing Face Of Interpreting Services At The Olympics
While the main professional interpreting services were present at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the currently ongoing 2022 Beijing Olympics, AI and machine interpreting are playing an increasingly larger role. In the last few years, software companies have been working on developing better systems and platforms for machine translation and remote interpreting services. Japanese tech giant Panasonic teamed up with an accelerator, 100BANCH, to create a prototype AI translator, called the “Fukidashi”. This iPad-like device provides simultaneous interpreting for users. While not implemented on a widespread level, these devices helped bridge language barriers for athletes, staff, and visitors to Tokyo.

Interpreting Services at the 2022 Winter Olympics
In Beijing, automated translation is being taken to a new level. iFLYTEK, a Chinese translation service company, was designated as the official translator of the Games. It is telling that this designation was not given to a standard interpreting company, but rather to a company that specializes in voice recognition and AI translation/interpreting. For the 2022 games, iFLYTEK debuted its AI news anchor, “Xiaoqing”, to help with translations. Xiaoqing provides translations in five different languages and can transition between them in real-time. The use of AI and machine interpreting is all but assured in future Olympic Games as the technology becomes more advanced and reliable.
About Language Connections:
Language Connections is one of the top language service companies in the US. Over the last 30 years, we’ve focused on providing the best business translation services, interpreting services, as well as interpreter training and customized language training programs. In addition to top-tier corporate language training, we offer certified corporate interpreters and professional business translation services in 200+ languages. Our network includes linguists with backgrounds in all major industries. They’re ready to meet your needs, whether they’re for technical translation services, legal translation, government translation services, international development translation services, education translation services, life sciences translation, or something else. Reach out to us today for a free quote on our cost-efficient and timely translation services, interpreters, or other linguistic services.

Language Connections LLC
2001 Beacon Street, Suite 105,
Boston, MA 02135
Phone: +1-617-731-3510
Email: service@languageconnections.com