Language: The Lost Art

Every day billions of people speak thousands of languages across the world. Hands are shaken continuously, introductions are made by the second, and presentations are a constant. In a society that is so culturally blended, we have no choice but to adapt and acknowledge in order to be successful. Aside from whatever you may personally believe the fundamental concept of ignorance being dangerous is one of universal understanding.

I recently had the opportunity to speak with an individual who thoroughly understands the importance of introducing all voices, Mr. Edward Vick. Mr. Vick is a Cambridge graduate who founded EVS Translations in 1991 as an entrepreneur with a desire to learn. In its origin, it was wanting to learn foreign cultures and languages for the financial sector, but as Mr. Vick began to dive into the field and truly look out onto the world around him it grew into becoming a catalyst for the nations. He explained that “In Germany, it was absolutely essential 20-30 years ago for translations related to finance and the stock exchange to be translated into English…a small niche that turned out to be pretty big because once you start with a company and their financial documents, they become interested in other documents as well which then moves to other companies and all sorts of translations.”

The translation industry is approximately a 50 billion dollar industry based on real-time relationships and relations. When looking toward the future dependency, Mr. Vick explained the concept in the universal language, money. “There are more and more words coming about… Coca-Cola makes most of its sales outside of America… in order to expand, companies need to branch out to other nations thus expanding their language.” There is literally no other way the world can communicate effectively outside of speaking and interpreting other languages and yet in most higher academic structures learning a foreign language is an elective. An elective that is relegated to being nothing more than “an option”, an option to bridge gaps, an option to unify the voices of many, an option to educate ourselves against the ignorance that divides rather than the choice to piece together for the common good.

The term “nationalist” generally refers to one’s self-absorbed image of his nation but hiding in plain sight is the same concept applied to our daily lives through language and communication. Granted we reside in an English speaking country, but whether we choose to accept it or not, America is the melting pot of the world. One of the countries most cherished “American” relics came from Western Europe just like every other car we see on the road and yet, English continues to wear an unprecedented sense of arrogance.

The one aspect that truly connects the world doesn’t even crack the Top 10 of the World’s Richest industries when placed on a scale of its own bi-products. Where would we be in terms of infrastructure if nobody but a handful of people can read the directions? How strong would our market be if the base was still at the Tower of Babylon? Sure there are a variety of streaming mediums that has essentially watered down the convenience of fluidity between languages but where is the true appreciation for it? The disconnect between the art of translation and common communication comes to the forefront in a way that Mr. Vick explained as “needed intellect,” because you “don’t need it until you need it.” Looking around the world as we know, one could say we definitely need it now and have needed it for years.

There’s an entire generation of children that can speak multiple languages by the time they reach the higher elementary years if not younger and the fact that such a skill is viewed as less than extraordinary blows my mind. That generation of children alone will bridge many gaps we have in society only because they can successfully speak out of both sides of their mouth while simultaneously understanding it. Personally, I took 4 years of Spanish and can carry a pretty solid conversation with Dora the Explorer at best. I admit I could have and should have taken it more to heart but when the course is labeled as an option instead of an investment how could I? How could most students?

“We’re finding that if you’re a translation company that can only do simple translations you’re not that helpful,” Mr. Vick explained, “part of the translation industry is doing more than just one thing.” A concept that can be placed into the parable with a man and a fish. Give a man a fish, he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish? He eats for a lifetime. The public school system had the right idea by introducing foreign languages but now is the time to follow up with it, take that extra step to truly bond the relationship.

People like Mr. Vick help lay out the blueprint for others to emulate and apply to various aspects of life. Why not apply it to the future of our civilization? The future success of our world is not an option… it’s a necessity. It’s THE necessity.

-Malcolm Anderson

About Malcolm

Malcolm Anderson is a Cum Laude graduate of Reinhardt University. From the beginning of his education, the ideas of creativity and ever-expanding curiosity were instilled in him. He loves working with children and helping them believe that they can do anything they put their mind to, a lesson he was taught from an early age. Although his focus is on Sports Media Malcolm has been writing for various mediums over the past few years and aims to expand his repertoire in efforts to reach as many people as possible.