The Passage of Medical and Legal Knowledge Through German Interpreters
How does scientific research become popular worldwide? In what way have collections of literature and scientific research have travelled the seas? How have various cultures and religions communicated with one another? How do we learn of what has transpired in distant places? To a large extent by building linguistic bridges across the channels that divide language spheres and cultural regions, whether by the rewriting of messages and works in another tongue, which is the work of translation services, or through other interventions by individuals who possess knowledge in more than one language and can therefore act as cultural mediators.
In ancient times, interpreters were essential in trade, government and international affairs. The invention of the printed press enabled translators to play the role of teachers who would pass their knowledge on religion, literature and history to further generations. No language has been able to establish its writing tradition without using translation. In fact, it was the German Translator of Martin Luther that translated the Bible into German and effectively unified and modernized the German language. Indeed, the history of international contact and cultural development, within and beyond Europe, can be traced by noting the routes of translation. Translation is still of the utmost importance in the affairs of a world that has gone through the rapid technological development called modernization, which furthermore has enhanced international relations to the point where people feel they can legitimately talk of ‘globalization’. Translation has become so widespread through international business and media that it has turned into an overwhelming problem, even a threat. Using one single language like Globish for example is a possible solution, but English is the more reasonable variety from the many languages available.
Even nowadays, Latin is still not a dead language. Any Medical Translator should have a profound knowledge of Latin because most terms used in medicine come from Latin. Logically students in medicine must attend Latin courses before graduation. Having knowledge in Latin is also a prerequisite for anyone whose occupation is to provide Legal Translation. This is owing to Latin being the language mainly referred to by lawyers all over the world. Even though it is considered a dead language, it is still used to bridge communication gaps.
But the notion of a global culture in a single language is not a promising prospect; indeed, it is, perhaps fortunately, virtually inconceivable. The terms “local” and “global” are intrinsic in the translation process which governs the way they are rendered and delivered. The need for quality translation is more urgent than ever in all areas of culture. It is a search for common sharing of ideas between nations communicating in a diversity of languages. This also leads to sharing common ideas inside the particular culture which may be more divisive than it seems. Translation brings forth another variety – namely discovering the other in us. Therefore, translation services give us the chance to glimpse into that other world. For when we learn how peoples of other cultures live and think, we also learn about ourselves, which often leads us to question ourselves. Briefly, when we understand the others we will learn to accept their difference.
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