Translation Blog

The German language is wonderfully interesting. There are millions of German-speaking people worldwide, and the German culture is unlike others across the globe. In fact, many unique aspects of the German language only exist in German! This article gives you nine fun German facts so that you can learn more about the fascinating language, culture, and history.

1. 130 Million People Speak German

The German language is the 11th most popular language worldwide. Almost 1.5% of the entire population speaks German, accounting for around 130 million German-speaking people across the globe. Approximately 80 million are native speakers, while 50 million have picked up German as a second language. Most of these people are students in school and adult learners.

The heart of the German culture and language is in Germany, where it is the official language. The language also holds official status in Austria, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, and Luxembourg. This makes German the second most popular language in Europe, spoken by approximately 13.3% of all Europeans—one of the most interesting German facts!

2. German is a Germanic Language

The German language has a long history, dating back thousands of years and evolving through time. One major change occurred during the Roman era when the Roman soldiers began invading Germany. Roman influences can be found throughout German culture, but there is not enough Roman influence in the German language to classify it as a Romance language.

German is instead a Germanic language. Other Germanic languages include English, Dutch, and Frisian. These languages all have a heavy German influence in their grammar, pronunciation, and culture. Of course, these are distinct languages – speaking German is very different from speaking English – but there are many similarities (more on these in our later German facts!).

3. The Bible Was The First German Translation

Of course, one of our German facts is on translation! The first written translation in German culture was a copy of the Bible, translated in the 4th century by a German bishop. The Bible was written in a single dialect, and German-speaking people had to understand this unique dialect to read the text.

Before this time, there was no official or widely used dialect of German. But eventually, German speakers grew familiar with the version of the language used in the Bible. It became the primary form of the German language spoken throughout the country. From this point forward, the German language and culture grew and expanded throughout Europe.

4. The German Language Capitalises Nouns

One of the most interesting German facts is that the language has specific characteristics unique from any other language worldwide. One of these characteristics is that all nouns in German culture are capitalised, not just specific people, places, and organisations, as in English.

For example, the word “book” is never capitalised in English. The exception is when the word is included in the title of a book, such as The Jungle Book. However, in German, “Buch” (the German word for “book”) is always capitalised, no matter how it is being used. This is less important when speaking German but vital when writing in German.

5. Some German Phrases Have No English Translation

Another of our fun German facts is that some German phrases have no literal translation into English. Many of these are funny to hear when translating directly between the two Germanic languages.

For example, you may hear people speaking German use the phrase, “Das ist nicht dein Bier.” The German-to-English translation is literally, “That is not your beer.” Although this makes grammatical sense, Germans use the phrase differently. It translates more loosely to “None of your business!” I guess the German culture appreciates their beer!

6. Many German Words Have Unique Meanings

There are also words with unique meanings in the German language. One such word is “Schadenfreude.” The German-to-English translation describes the happiness that some people get from somebody else’s misfortune. We lack the word for this in English and can only explain the feeling by stringing words together in a sentence.

Another example is the fear that grows larger as you age and realise that your time on Earth is getting shorter and shorter. The German translation of this is “Torschlusspanik.” Based on these two examples, German culture seems a little dark!

7. The Longest Word is 36 Letters Long

One of the most interesting German facts is that the German language contains many long words. The longest is “Rindfleischetikettierungsüberwachungsaufgabenübertragungsgesetz.” The word is 36 letters long and is the German translation of “the law concerning the delegation of duties for the supervision of cattle marking and the labelling of beef.” Even in English, it is a mouthful!

8. German & English Share 60% of Their Vocabularies

German and English are both classified as West Germanic languages. Therefore, it stands to reason that there are many similarities in terms of vocabulary. Indeed, one of our most surprising German facts is that the two sister languages share over 60% of their vocabularies.

Some common English words used in German culture include baby, computer, and radio. Some common German words used in English include angst, hamster, and kindergarten. Despite this, many words look similar but differ in meaning. For instance, the German language has a word that is spelt “gift.” However, do not be tricked! The German-to-English translation for this word is “poison”—the last gift you’d want to receive!

9. The German Language is Fun!

The last of our German facts is that it is great fun to hear people speaking German. The German language sounds somewhat harsher than English, and many German words and phrases give us an insight into the strong German culture.

It is also an excellent choice for people wanting to learn a language. And with the same roots as English, it is relatively simple for English speakers to pick up. Though some German translations sound a bit funny, remember that not every word that looks the same will mean the same thing. Start learning the German language today to blend in with the German culture.

Trusted German Translations from Renaissance Translations 

If you enjoyed our German facts and want to learn more about speaking German, Renaissance Translations can help. As a leading German translation agency, we have much information on our website that delves into the language and culture of German and other languages. Contact us today to discuss your German translation project or request a quote online. You’ll be glad you did.

The Spanish language is diverse and beautiful. With roots in Roman and Arabic cultures, the language has an exciting history. Spanish is also one of the most spoken languages worldwide, with more native Spanish speakers than English speakers globally. Indeed, there are many fun facts about Spanish culture and language to uncover!

Are you interested in learning more about the language and its nuances? These nine fun facts about Spanish provide a brief introduction to many of the most exciting parts of the Spanish language. They might also provide the motivation you need if you’re thinking about learning Spanish.

1. The Spanish Language is Spoken in 21 Countries

One of our favourite facts about Spanish is that it is spoken as the official language in 21 countries worldwide. This means that those countries use the language in all their official content, such as documents and legal issues. The majority of the population also uses it for everyday conversations and written communication.

Some countries with Spanish as an official language include Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru, and Spain. In fact, most people assume that all Spanish speakers live in Spain and parts of South America. But believe it or not, a single African country also officially uses the Spanish language: Equatorial Guinea.

2. There are 540 Million Spanish Speakers Worldwide

Another of our favourite fun facts about Spanish is that there are over 540 million Spanish speakers worldwide. This makes it the fourth-most common language around the world, behind English (1,132 million), Mandarin (1,117 million), and Hindi (615 million).

Another fun fact: Spanish is the second most spoken language worldwide when counting first-language speakers only. It is also the third most used language on the internet! The popularity of the language is evident when we look at the fact that the US has about 50 million citizens who are Spanish speakers while Spain has 45 million. This shows us exactly how popular the language is.

3. Modern-Day Spanish Dates Back 700 Years

The Spanish language originally stems from Latin, spoken by the Romans. These language roots make Spanish one of the Romance languages, along with French, Italian, and Portuguese. Latin was combined with the local language and gradually evolved into Spanish until we got to the language we all know and love today.

The modern Spanish language dates back about 700 years. The language was adopted by King Alfonso X in the year 1200 and became the official language of the country. The Spanish language has spread throughout the world since then, as has the Spanish culture.

4. The Spanish language is Heavily Influenced by Arabic

Latin was not the only language that influenced Spanish speakers. Curiously enough, Arabic also had a significant influence on the growth of the Spanish language. This happened when the Arab Moors conquered Spain and brought their language with them. They occupied the Iberian Peninsular for around 800 years, meaning much of their culture and traditions were adopted in Spain.

According to The Spanish Academy, there are more than 4,000 words in the Spanish language that derive from Arabic. Let’s look at an example to demonstrate this fun fact: in Spanish, the word “sugar” is “azucar”. This word comes from the Arabic word “al-sukkar.”

5. The First Spanish Novel was Don Quixote

The following facts about Spanish may be familiar to someone who is a literature lover. But it might surprise some that Don Quixote by Spanish speaker Miguel de Cervantes is the first novel to become available in the Spanish language!

The Spanish-to-English translation of this title is “Sir Idealist.” This is still one of the most popular books in Spanish culture today. Don Quixote tells the story of a man who longs to be a knight so that he can win his lady. Though filled with humour and lightheartedness, there are also rough times and challenging lessons that Quixote must learn.

6. The Spanish language is Often Used in Pop Culture

While the literary classic Don Quixote is very old, the Spanish language still holds an important place in pop culture today. You can turn on any pop radio station, and you will hear a few words from the Spanish language! For example, Despacito by Spanish speaker Luis Fonsi was played in its original Spanish translation, but there was a remix that included an English part. The Spanish-to-English translation of this song title is “slowly.”

Many popular books and movies are also translated into English or adopted into cultures in their Spanish form. One brilliant example is Pan’s Labyrinth. Directed by Guillermo del Toro, Pan’s Labyrinth became a worldwide hit and has only been subtitled into other languages. The Spanish translation of “Pan’s Labyrinth” is “El Laberinto del Fauno.”

7. Many Spanish Words Have No Direct Translation

One of the most interesting facts about Spanish is that there are several unique words with no equivalents in other languages. The best way to demonstrate this is by looking at translations from Spanish to English. For instance, Spanish speakers often take part in a “sobremesa.” This is where everyone stays at the table after a meal. The families then share a drink (whether alcoholic or non-alcoholic) and some good laughs.

Another example is the Spanish phrase “verguenza ajena.” In the Spanish language, these words are used to describe the feeling you might get when you feel embarrassed for someone without feeling sorry for yourself. There is no literal translation of this phrase into English.

8. Punctuation Works Differently in Spanish

You might have noticed that the Spanish language uses upside-down punctuation marks at the beginning of some sentences. Now for the fun facts: in Spanish is the only place you’ll see this use of punctuation! It is the only language in the world that uses these inverted punctuation points.

The reason why is equally as fascinating: it tells the reader that the following sentence is a question ahead of time. This allows Spanish speakers to add the required inflection in their voice so that their listeners understand that a question is being asked. Inverted punctuation marks are the official standard of the Royal Spanish Academy, which declares the official rules of the Spanish language.

9. The US Will Have the Most Spanish Speakers by 2050

The last of our fun facts about Spanish is on future predictions: Experts think that by 2050, more than 10% of the world will be able to communicate in Spanish. The US should be the world’s largest Spanish-speaking country by the same year, with more than 132 million Spanish speakers in America. If future predictions are correct, the Spanish language will have grown more than 1,300%!

An important fact about Spanish is that it is the second most studied language in the world. It’s no secret that learning Spanish translation could be very beneficial, especially in America. It may seem like a daunting task, but do not fear. Experts say that it takes only 24 weeks of practice to learn the language. After 24 weeks, you should be able to communicate on a professional level.

Renaissance Translation’s Spanish Translation Services

The fun facts about Spanish demonstrate that the Spanish language is an amazing one! It may sometimes take work to figure out Spanish to English translations. But many Spanish words give us glimpses into the beautiful Spanish culture. With so many people learning Spanish and expected to be able to become Spanish speakers, we might not want to put off our Spanish lessons much longer!

If you need help with your Spanish translations, Renaissance Translations can help. Our extensive network of Spanish language experts enables us to offer professional Spanish translation services in all subject fields. European Spanish, Mexican Spanish, South American Spanish, and African Spanish are available. We are an associate member of the Associations of Translation Companies (ATC), so you can rest assured that your documents are in safe hands. Contact  our team today to discuss your Spanish translation project or request a quote online.

The Italian language is the official language in Italy. With its rounded sounds and melodic rhythm, the beautiful Italian language is considered the la lingua dell’amore – “the language of love.” Although the majority of people that speak Italian are located in Italy, Italian culture is a staple in general terms worldwide, from fashion to sportscars.

This article uncovers eight facts about the beautiful Italian language. From major curiosities of the Italian way of speaking to Italian cultural references, here you will find everything interesting there is to know about the Italian language!

1. The Italian Language Stems from Latin

The Italian language is of Latin origin and is thus classified as a Romance language. Other Romance languages include French and Spanish, meaning many Italian words cross over into these other languages. If you’re fluent in another Romance language, you might be able to understand parts of the conversation when people speak Italian.

However, Italian is the least divergent language from Latin, containing more similarities with Latin than other significant languages in its family. The only other language with as close ties to Latin is Sardinian.

2. The Tuscan Dialect became the Language in Italy

Before Italy formally became a country, it was divided into regions. Every one of these regions had its own dialect and vocabulary, with Italians in each region speaking different adaptations of the language. When Italy officially formed as a country in 1861, the various dialects were so widespread that officials had to choose a standardised language in Italy to unify the country.

This is one of the reasons why the Italian language is beautiful – the Italian Government chose the most elegant dialect and phased the less pleasant-sounding languages out. The dialect the government chose was the Tuscan version of the Italian language. At the time, only 2.5% of the population spoke this dialect.

3. Italian became an Official Langauge in Italy in 2007

For a long time, the Italian language was not the official language in Italy. The standardised version of the language was adopted by convention rather than formality. Its lack of official status was mainly down to the different regional language groups. Although a standardised version was established in 1861, only 2.5% of the population spoke the “official” version of the language in Italy.

In March 2007, there were efforts to transform the Italian language into the official language in Italy. The efforts eventually succeeded, and the beautiful Italian language achieved official status. But while 93% of the population speak Italian, 50% speak a regional dialect even today!

4. It was Initially a Literary Language

The Italian language was initially a literary language used by authors and poets. An example of this is the Italian speaker and literary icon Dante Alighieri. This man himself is a key component in Italian culture and the Italian language. His world-famous work is from 1320 and is called La Divina Commedia (“The Divine Comedy”) – the first text ever written in the beautiful Italian language.

Before this, Italian texts were written in Latin. This iconic piece set a milestone for the Italian language and was used as a source for the standardised 1861 language in Italy. Dante’s work has since been translated into various languages. It has also been enjoyed by millions across the globe that can’t speak Italian.

5. The Italian Language Has Some Pretty Interesting Words

The Italian language has some rather complex words. A great example is “precipitevolissimevolmente.” This word has 26 characters and is the longest word in the beautiful Italian language! This particular word has no Italian to English translation but can be translated loosely to “very hurriedly.”

Many other words you might use when you speak Italian have no literal translation into English. Some examples include apericena (an informal evening with tapas-style food), culaccino (the end of the salami or loaf of bread), and menefreghista (a person with a couldn’t-care-less attitude).

6. Some Italian Words Are Used in English

Despite the differences between Italian and English, many Italian words have made their way into English vocabulary. These words include ‘arabesque’, ‘archivolt’, ‘cameo’, ‘fresco’, ‘patina’, ‘terracotta’, and many others. In particular, the beautiful Italian language is the root of many words related to the arts and music. Some examples are: arpeggio, piano, staccato, allegro, and andante.

7. There Are 85 Million Italian Speakers Worldwide

The beautiful Italian language doesn’t have as many speakers as English or French, but it’s still a high number. In fact, there are around 85 million Italian speakers worldwide. Of these, about 60 million people live in Italy and speak Italian as mother-tongue.

Besides the prevalence of the language in Italy, countries like Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, and Istria also consider Italian as their mother-tongue. People in many other nations also speak Italian, such as the US, Australia, Malta, and Argentina. If you are Italian, it might be surprising how many other countries worldwide use the language in Italy.

8. The Italian Language Has Several Grammatical Quirks

Italian has several grammatical quirks compared to English and others. These peculiarities are what make the beautiful Italian language sound so pleasant! Next time you hear someone speak Italian, see if you notice any of the following things:

• Vowels: Nearly all words end in a vowel, with seven vowel sounds in total. Although there are only five distinct vowels, there are still two phonemes present that represent the “extra sounds” (such as the long Os) that make the Italian accent so charming.
• Word Stress: When you hear someone speak Italian, you’ll usually hear stress placed on the second-to-last syllable. This gives Italian a distinct rhythmic quality that makes it so lovely to listen to.
• Few Js, Ks, Ws & Ys: Although the Italian alphabet has the same number of letters as the English one, words that use J, K, W, and Y are most likely loanwords. The primary Italian alphabet consists of only 21 letters.

Renaissance Translations’ Italian Translation Services

Italian is fantastic with a great history supporting it. From its origins to the artists that brought it to light, you cannot deny its influence in literature and arts. Along with its beautiful sound, this makes learning to speak Italian a dream for many. With a famous tourist destination for people around the world and a large economy that attracts many businesses worldwide, Italy is one of most attractive places for all. On a business level, Italian translations are in high demand and the need for Italian translators is higher than ever.

If you can’t speak Italian but need to communicate with Italian speakers and customers, our Italian experts are here to help. Our Italian translation services include, not only translation but also transcription, video subtitling, voiceover, typesetting and more. We provide our services in hundreds of language combinations. Whether Italian to English, Italian to Arabic, or Italian to Russian, our professional Italian speakers are waiting to help. Your partnership with Renaissance Translations also comes with professional memberships such as ATC, so you can rest assured that you’re in safe hands. Get in touch today. 

There are many fascinating languages all around the world, and the Arabic language is one of them. It is one of the languages that includes many curiosities, and many of them stem from the Arabic culture. Given that there are many Arabic speakers, it’s no wonder why so many interesting quirks were developed. From Arabic letters that sometimes get lost between English and Arabic translation, to having 14 Arabic words for ‘Love’, here we will show you 5 of the most fun facts about the Arabic language.

The Arabic Language Is Spoken in Approximately 20 Countries

This fact is amazing by itself! Although the number can be somewhat imprecise, you will find on the Internet that approximately 20 countries are Arabic speakers. According to Wikipedia, several countries share this trait with the Arabic culture.

As described by the website, 22 sovereign states use Arabic as the official language. Some countries mentioned therein possess a second language, such as French and English. It is said that four unrecognised states and territories can exist and have Arabic as their official language. If you consider the latter, more than 20 claim the Arabic language as theirs! Something you may find shocking is that the Arabic language is also the 6th most spoken language. National Arabic Day was created on December 18th, 2010, to celebrate the Arabic culture.

Arabic has Many Different Dialects

As you can tell, languages usually contain several dialects. In the case of the Arabic language, it is on a whole different level. Since it proceeds from Central Semitic origins, it is closely bonded to Aramaic and Hebrew. Roots of these can even exist in Quranic or Classic Arabic. This form of speaking and writing exists in many formal settings, such as the Holy Quran.

Modern Standard Arabic is the form of the Arabic language that is used in books, newspapers, movies, and daily conversation. As you would expect, there are a lot of dialects from region to region. From the ones that normally stand out, the vernacular that is mostly understood by many Arabic speakers is Egyptian colloquial.

You can deduce that many of the words will change, making English to Arabic translation somewhat complex for foreigners. This is one of the reasons, along with many others, that make the Arabic language difficult. Therefore, Arabic speakers are in demand! Regardless of this, Arabic is a language that doesn’t cease to surprise with its facts!

Arabic Words Can be Found in English

Considering it’s a 1,500-year-old language, it’s a natural expectation that the Arabic language blends with other languages and regions. A normal occurrence is that both Arabic speakers and time move on. Hence, so does the language, adopting features from other languages into its own, and vice versa. When learning about Arabic, some of the common English words that come from Arabic include: ‘algebra’, ‘coffee’, ‘ghoul’, ‘loofah’, ‘tariff’, ‘racquet’, and more.

On a side note, here we will tell you the reason for the use of the letter ‘X’ in algebra. “Shay” means “thing” in Arabic. This word was adopted by the Spanish, resulting in “xay”. This would later evolve into the renowned “x”. Provided that math and numbers are the subjects of conversation, you should note that Arabic numerals replaced Roman ones. Therefore, it’s easy to tell that the Arabic language has influenced many others in ways that one normally doesn’t notice. Arabic words can be found in English, Spanish, and many others.

The 14 Ways of Love in the Arabic Language

Lovebirds will certainly enjoy this. In the English language, the word “love” can imply many different concepts. Yet, most of the diverse stages and “gradients” of love can get quite fuzzy. However, the Arabic language got this down right. Arabic speakers have 14 words to express the different stages of love. Yes. 14 words!

What makes it more interesting is that these 14 words from the Arabic language entail the different intensities of the stages of love. Meaning that the characteristic feelings of this emotion are thoroughly described into one single concept by Arabic speakers. However, the fervor of the descriptions may slightly fade away if you do an Arabic to English translation.

For instance, what we would loosely translate as “Passion”, the Arabic language describes it as “al-shaghaf ”, or should we say الشغافة. This term alludes to the outer layer of the heart. It resembles the surfacing of actual feelings of love, and when the members of the relationship feel “love-struck”. On the other side of the equation, there is “al-hoyam”. Arabic speakers use this word to reference the insanity and madness caused by drastic feelings of love. In short, when people lose all sense of self and reasoning, this one seems to be a perfect fit.

More Curiosities About the Arabic Language

Another feature of the Arabic language that can leave one scratching their head is that no capital letters exist. This means that, at least in written form, quotations add emphasis. Arabic speakers should consider this when doing an English to Arabic translation.

On the other hand, the Arabic language also uses a system of writing named Abjad. It is a form of writing that involves using consonants instead of vowels. How are vowels indicated, though? Very simple. Vowels are simply implied by the sounds of the consonant letters. This signals that the reader needs to have full knowledge of the alphabet to be able to decipher vowel sounds. Arabic is also read from right to left. Contrary to what Westerners use, reading from left to right, Arabic speakers do the opposite.

Arabic is an Amazing Language!

As you can observe, the Arabic language has much more depth than what meets the eye, and a rich culture. Many Arabic-speaking countries use it as their official language and it has many dialects, influences in other languages, and much more. We can also tell that Arabic to English translation is a quite challenging task too!

Do you have a document to translate into Arabic? You can trust our Arabic translation services if you are looking for a high-quality translation. Our Arabic speakers are professional and native to the target language. Moreover, our project managers have long and wide experience in Arabic translation projects. Get in touch with one of them today to discuss your project.