2023-02-01 18:02
The 80th Golden Globe Awards were held on January 10, 2023, following years of controversies for the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA). The organization behind the Golden Globes had… Read More
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Beyond Words - Alta Language Services Blog
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Beyond Words explores our experiences with language, culture, and the world through our day-to-day interactions.
2023-01-19 17:52
A new report published by The Urban Institute highlights the challenges many Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) face in healthcare access related to Limited Englis… Read More
2023-01-16 17:57
If speaking a second language was easy, many more people would speak several fluently. Although it’s not a short path, the road to second language proficiency is filled with interestin… Read More
2023-01-04 18:26
Many rumors circulate about a natural ability to learn languages and the advantage children may have that dissipates with age. Let’s take a closer look at second language ability and a… Read More
2022-12-19 17:53
Individuals who speak multiple languages or live in multilingual households may have a “heritage language.” This term describes the language the individual speaks or hears at hom… Read More
2022-12-13 18:11
The Language Experience Approach is a teaching tactic that uses experience to improve students’ communication skills. This approach capitalizes on students’ attention and interes… Read More
2022-12-07 18:24
With over 300 sign languages used in the world, there is a rich diversity of culture among Deaf communities. And in fact, deafness itself is not a prerequisite to participating in Deaf cultu… Read More
2022-11-18 17:30
What do binge-watch, Brexit, and photobomb all have in common? They’ve all been named word of the year by the Collins English Dictionary. Binge-watch in 2015, Brexit in 2016, and photo… Read More
2022-11-16 18:35
It is easy to get the terms interpreter and translator confused. That’s because “translation” can mean conversion from one language to another, in a general way. Typically… Read More
2022-11-08 17:30
A new study out of the University of Freiburg suggests that children who are exposed to different accents have an advantage when it comes to language acquisition. For the study, the research… Read More
2022-11-04 17:48
For a while during high school, I had two groups of friends. One group was ambitious and academically oriented. The other was more athletic, musically inclined, and a bit rebellious. The lat… Read More
2022-10-25 16:50
Nowadays, there is a lot of pressure on parents to make their children high achievers, starting from an early age. The standards for raising an athletic, charismatic, artistic baby Einstein… Read More
2022-10-21 17:30
While many countries in the world have one de facto official language, there are plenty of countries with multiple official languages. Canada, for example, has two official languages, Belgiu… Read More
2022-10-13 17:00
A viral TikTok recently highlighted the importance of medical interpreters in healthcare. In the video, Jen Hamilton, a labor and delivery nurse in North Carolina, shared her experience with… Read More
2022-10-11 19:34
A person with language skills that are still developing can navigate many situations. In a post office, train station or restaurant, there are ways to get by without being fluent. Communicat… Read More
2022-10-05 19:00
The 21st Century Multilingual Workplace In an increasingly interconnected world, the expanding ease of communicating with others in situations where language barriers used to exist is exciti… Read More
2022-09-20 17:45
At any given time, nearly 60,000 youth are incarcerated in the United States. From a lack of investment in poor neighborhoods and schools to draconian drug laws, bail policies that criminali… Read More
2022-09-12 17:00
Since the Official Languages Act of 1969, both English and French have been the official languages of Canada. The majority of Canada’s French-speaking population lives in Quebec. The p… Read More
2022-08-31 16:30
Memes, the viral pictures and videos shared widely on social media, might offer more than just a chuckle. They could be one of the most effective ways to incorporate humor into language lear… Read More
2022-08-29 18:00
With a name as ostentatious as Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder, you may be thinking: why should I care about this rare, surely complicated disorder that nobody has ever heard of? And why is… Read More
2022-08-23 17:00
Prey, a prequel to the Predator franchise, made history as the first movie entirely dubbed in Comanche, the native language of the Comanche Nation. After premiering at San Diego Comic-Con, P… Read More
2022-07-28 00:20
Learning a second language has so many benefits that it’s hard to count them all. The chances of earning money with languages in business, companies and the public sector are also incr… Read More
2022-07-13 18:34
The University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) plans to offer free language classes for Tlingit (or Lingít), Haida, and Tsimshian this fall. The non-credit classes are intended to help revi… Read More
2022-07-01 20:56
Stephen Hawking was a larger-than-life figure, studded with superlatives for his incredible contributions to the field of theoretical physics. But Hawking was perhaps just as well known for… Read More
2022-06-23 22:15
French government workers are banned from using certain English gaming terms. Government officials, including teachers, must now use French terms like “jeu video de competition”… Read More
2022-06-17 18:12
In a diverse and globalized world, many organizations provide additional compensation to employees who have the skills to communicate with clients and partners in more than one language. Thi… Read More
2022-06-08 21:16
Movie stars have the Oscars and musicians have the Grammys – but linguists have the Linguapax Award. The non-governmental group Linguapax International recognizes individuals and group… Read More
2022-05-26 23:58
In the aftermath of Covid, there has been increasing talk of a ‘lost generation’ of children, whose education, nutrition, and well-being were severely damaged by two years of cor… Read More
2022-05-19 20:43
“Pardon, could you please repeat that, I don’t quite understand?” How many times have you said or thought this while on call, in meetings, or directly communicating with a… Read More
2022-05-17 22:31
New research from the University of the West of England suggests that mushrooms may use a 50-word language to communicate with each other. Andrew Adamatzky, director of the Unconventional Co… Read More
2022-04-28 23:18
Medical interpreting is an exciting career with an expanding future. As medicine continues to solve diverse health challenges faster and better, medical interpreters get a front-row seat to… Read More
2022-04-19 21:06
Canadian lawmakers are working to protect the Mi’kmaw language. On April 7, The Mi’kmaw Language Act was introduced which will formally recognize Mi’kmaw as the first langu… Read More
2022-04-18 23:23
A few weeks ago, legendary actor Bruce Willis announced that he’ll be taking a step back from acting due to health concerns, including a diagnosis of aphasia. Ever heard of aphasia? Yo… Read More
2022-04-11 21:19
Improving scores on a hospital consumer assessment like the HCAHPS survey and providing the best care are objectives not always completely aligned. Patient satisfaction can be improved by el… Read More
2022-04-07 20:58
American Sign Language (ASL) is a complete language expressed with hand gestures and facial expressions. Thousands of people who are deaf and hard of hearing, as well as many hearing people… Read More
2022-04-06 00:45
Imagine a world where language barriers didn’t exist. A world in which people from all corners of the earth could communicate with ease and without misunderstandings. Sadly, this is no… Read More
2022-04-06 00:17
Improving HCAHPS scores is an invigorating challenge for some hospital administrators. For others, and at some point for most, it’s a frustrating task. Hospitals are complex environmen… Read More
2022-03-16 22:47
Throughout human history, there’s been nothing as constant as change. Technology has dramatically shaped and changed the way we communicate over time, from early grunts and cave painti… Read More
2022-03-16 22:20
When setting up medical translation services, it’s best to get specific about the expertise of the translator and the languages or dialects requested. However, since prices vary accord… Read More
2021-12-29 15:26
In 2021, the Korean-language drama Squid Game took the internet by storm. While you’re anxiously awaiting confirmation on a second season for the show, why not check out another intern… Read More
2021-11-08 15:00
What comes to mind when you think about muscles? Maybe it’s bodybuilders or protein shakes. But if you study the etymology of the word, you’ll get a clue as to what ancient Roman… Read More
2021-10-26 17:34
Under the Affordable Care Act, patients have the right to an interpreter if they cannot communicate effectively with a healthcare professional in any federally funded facility. It is frighte… Read More
2021-09-24 15:42
The COVID-19 pandemic changed the world in many ways, including an increased reliance on technology to help us communicate remotely. As we continue to adjust to this “new normal,&rdquo&hell…Read More
2021-09-03 15:00
Linguists, retired elementary school teachers and sociologists have created language museums to preserve and celebrate written and spoken words. Many of these museums utilize advanced techno… Read More
2021-08-10 17:06
When unaware of the resources that each individual is entitled to, relying on people we are familiar with seems like the only choice. Through my time volunteering at clinics that serve prima… Read More
2021-06-04 19:33
Many people agree that interpreting services are sometimes overlooked, but very few people know about the harmful consequences of doing so. I have witnessed firsthand the extent to which thi… Read More
2021-05-25 17:41
For millions of people around the world, the morning doesn’t officially start until they’ve had a cup of coffee. In the United States alone, coffee drinkers sip an average of 450… Read More
2021-05-25 17:25
In March 2020 the Tokyo Olympic games, like so many other events, were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Now a year later the games are set to take place. They’ll still be cal… Read More
2021-03-15 15:29
If you communicate through texting or social media, you can’t escape emojis. These stylized smiley faces, hearts, hand gestures and food items are an ingrained part of virtual conversa… Read More
2021-03-04 15:00
Try to imagine the last time you had a conversation that didn’t involve a cliché. We often use these “trite phrases or expressions” without a second thought. But hav… Read More
2021-02-23 15:00
The burden of a successful interpretation encounter often feels like it rests with the person interpreting the conversation. But there are things you, as a person requesting an interpreter… Read More
2021-02-18 15:21
If you’re wondering how to exhaust an interpreter within an inch of their life, you’ve come to the right place! In all seriousness, there are some common ways to make the interpr… Read More
2021-02-03 13:12
While many people rang in the new year by watching the ball drop in Times Square or popping champagne, another tradition was celebrated by linguists around the world. As the year came to a c… Read More
2020-11-24 19:20
There are close to 7,000 languages spoken on earth. However, it’s estimated that by the end of this century, up to 50% of them may be lost. Eighty percent of the world’s populati… Read More
2020-11-05 15:00
More than 50 countries around the world use English as an official language. But you might be surprised to learn that some of the major English-speaking countries, like Australia, the United… Read More
2020-10-14 15:34
As the sun starts to set on October 31, children dressed as ghosts and superheroes go door to door asking for candy. Along their trick-or-treating route, they’ll visit houses decorated… Read More
2020-10-07 17:44
If you’re an intermediate language learner, you might feel like you’ve gotten stuck in a language plateau. There are some topics you can discuss with relative ease. You no longer… Read More
2020-09-23 17:51
Dirt on your head! Son of an owl! Hit your head on a corner of tofu and die! If you clicked on this article, you’ve probably already surmised that the above phrases are – at leas… Read More
2020-09-23 17:21
When the coronavirus pandemic hit and stay-at-home orders were issued, isolation and loneliness set in. We faced the difficult challenge of staying connected with our loved ones while travel… Read More
2020-09-17 14:00
There’s already a lot to take in when learning a new language – vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar rules, and so on. But one of the most challenging aspects of learning a new lan… Read More
2020-09-10 15:16
Visiting a new place gives you a new perspective on the world. When you travel, you have the chance to engage with different cultures and learn about unique traditions, customs, and language… Read More
2020-09-03 15:27
If “pilot speak” sounds like another language to you, you’re not far off. Aviation English is the internationally-established language of the skies, consisting of about thr… Read More
2020-08-25 14:00
If you’re thinking about learning a new language, it can be tricky to know where to start. Do you want to go for something that’s widely-spoken like Spanish, a business-relevant… Read More
2020-07-29 20:42
Don’t get salty, but slang isn’t new. You might think the idioms you use today are the GOAT, but they could easily go out of fashion in just a few years. Phrases, just like fitne… Read More
2020-07-23 14:00
Watching foreign language programming can feel like swimming against the current. The unfamiliar words keep coming and coming, and just when you feel like you’re beginning to get the h… Read More
2020-07-02 14:00
If you have ever studied French, Spanish, or German, you’ve learned about a tricky linguistic nuance that makes learning these languages difficult: noun gendering. In these languages… Read More
2020-06-17 20:29
The COVID-19 pandemic has moved many American workers out of their offices. In early March, an estimated 16 million U.S workers switched to working remotely. Many experts suggest that remote… Read More
2020-06-09 14:00
Iceland is a small island nation in the North Atlantic Ocean that is home to about 340,000 people. The Icelandic people trace their origins to Northern Germanic ethnic groups. Only about 350… Read More
2020-05-25 14:00
Learning a language is full of excitement, frustration and many times, embarrassment. This was perfectly illustrated to me one day when a coworker of mine, Clara, who was in the process of l… Read More
2020-05-18 14:00
English speakers use the schwa all the time. It’s our most popular vowel sound, and yet we don’t have any written symbol that corresponds to it. That’s because English spel… Read More
2020-05-08 14:00
If you are fluent in more than one language, your job prospects as a translator — converting written text from one language to another, especially online — are growing at a rapid… Read More
2020-05-04 14:00
In recent years, research has shown that languages like Mandarin Chinese, Korean, Turkish, and Japanese use more simple number terminology and express math concepts like fractions more clear… Read More
2020-04-29 13:45
Can you name the English vowels? If you rolled your eyes and answered A, E, I, O, U and sometimes Y, you’re on the right track, but you’re still missing nine out of fourteen corr… Read More
2020-04-17 17:07
When I tell people that I work in a children’s hospital, their first reaction is often, “Wow, that must be very difficult!” When I reflect and ask them in what way, typical… Read More
2020-04-08 13:00
Biases, opinions, and judgments surround accents. Think about the stereotypes associated with a Southern American accent. Sure, some people affiliate the twang with Southern hospitality and… Read More
2020-04-02 13:00
The Baloch people are an ethnic group that live in Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan. Historians believe this group originated from the southeast Caspian region. Most Baloch people speak Baloc… Read More
2020-03-16 14:00
As the coronavirus continues to make international headlines, interpreters may be weighing their own personal risks against their need – or ability – to work. Interpreters who op… Read More
2020-03-12 19:53
If you look at a color spectrum, you will find the number of colors is infinite. The spectrum has no end or beginning, and there is no limit to the number of gradations that exist. When an E… Read More
2020-03-09 14:59
What animals make the following sounds: “oink-oink” “knor-knor” “groin-groin” “boo-boo” and “nöff-nöff”? Trick question… Read More
2020-03-04 14:57
Hospital interpreters are some of the most careful people I know when it comes to infection prevention. In the first hospital where I worked, my colleagues regularly wiped down their desks w… Read More
2020-02-28 15:54
As more non-English-speakers enter the United States, demand for interpreters — who convert oral conversations from one language to another — is growing fast. According to the U… Read More
2020-02-21 21:10
Many large internet platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, are beginning to rely on artificial intelligence to help stop the spread of hate speech online. The hope is that AI p… Read More
2020-02-19 15:24
Even if you’re not bilingual, you likely have a much more robust foreign-language vocabulary than you think. That’s because many words in other languages – especially the G… Read More
2020-02-14 15:46
It’s an age-old question, and one that continues to be widely debated in the scientific community: can animals talk? And if so, might we someday be able to converse with some of our fu… Read More
2020-02-03 21:37
In 1967, Albert Mehrabian published a groundbreaking research paper that established the 7%-38%-55% rule. This rule states that, in decoding messages about positive and negative feelings, on… Read More
2020-02-03 21:24
There are some foreign words that just don’t have an English equivalent. These types of words are often dynamic and multi-faceted, originating out of cultural practices that are differ… Read More
2020-02-03 20:50
In psychological experiments first conducted in 1929 and then repeated in 2001, scientists asked a group of individuals to give a name to two unnamed shapes. The scientists were trying to de… Read More
2020-01-31 15:30
Do you have three and a half hours to spare? The longest word in the English language contains 189,891 letters. It takes about three and a half hours to pronounce this technical name of the… Read More
2020-01-27 15:31
The Hmong are an ethnic group that originated in China’s Yellow River Basin. Throughout their history, they faced persecution and displacement. Today, Hmong people live in Vietnam, Chi… Read More
2020-01-20 16:09
The United States is more linguistically diverse than ever. As of 2015, there were at least 350 languages spoken in U.S. households. One in five people living in the U.S. speak a language ot… Read More
2020-01-15 14:00
We mark time in many different ways – months, weeks, days, seconds. These terms get thrown around regularly, and they play a huge role in the way we conceptualize the many happenings o… Read More
2020-01-09 14:00
The app marketplace teems with clickables that promise shortcuts to learning. Among these apps, mobile programs to learn a second language have exploded in popularity, as busy adult learners… Read More
2020-01-06 14:00
We’ve all heard some variation of the ultra-absorbent, spongy brain explanation that suggests children’s talent for second language acquisition comes as naturally to them as a su… Read More
2019-12-30 14:00
The Gregorian calendar dates back to 1592, when Pope Gregory XIII instituted it as a revision of the Julien calendar. After its introduction, it slowly spread across Italy, then to Portugal… Read More
2019-12-30 14:00
We’re getting close to a new decade (on the Gregorian calendar, at least), and around the world, people are preparing to celebrate the start of the new ‘20s with New Year’s… Read More
2019-12-26 14:00
It’s almost 2020, which means that this year, we’re reflecting not just on all the things that happened in 2019, but on a whole decade of happenings. In this post, we turn our ga… Read More
2019-12-24 14:00
A couple of weeks ago, we took a look at some of the words and phrases that were transformed by the 2010s, taking on new forms and meanings to fit with the changing times. Today, we’re… Read More
2019-12-23 14:30
The modern American portrayal of Santa Claus grew out of traditions surrounding three historical figures: Saint Nicholas of Myra, 16th century Britain’s Father Christmas, and the ancie… Read More
2019-12-19 14:00
Settle in and get cozy: it’s time for a good old-fashioned guilt-free TV binge. Even a mega-marathon of these shows would be time well spent. After all, developing your listening compr… Read More
2019-12-16 14:00
The Economist’s 2019 Safe Cities Index is the result of a multifaceted investigation that looks at fifty-seven indicators across these four major categories. The study ranks the top fi… Read More
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