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Aramaic is a semitic language that has been spoken in the Middle East since at least the 12th century BC. Inscriptions found in the last centuries were made some years before the oldest Hebrew inscriptions. Known as “the language of Jesus”, Aramaic originated in the northern region of current Syria and rapidly spread to the whole area: it was even the official Assyrian language in the 8th century BC.

Aramaic is currently used by a few speakers in Syria, Iraq, Turkey and Iran, and in some isolated regions of Australia, Europe and America. Why do some ancient and historical languages dwindle to the brink of extinction?

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Translating content is always a great responsibility, which must be undertaken by qualified people with the required expertise. In some areas, this task involves an even greater challenge. This is the case of teaching and educational materials, which define the tools and possibilities the younger generations will have as adults.

What are the main challenges in the translation of educational materials and why do we need experienced professionals for this task?

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In “On Translation”, Jorge Luis Borges —who was not only a writer but also a translator— stated that “it is a mistake to ignore that each language is a way to feel and perceive the universe”. Like all translators working every day, Borges knew that his task was not simply to replace words in a language with words in another language.

Translation requires a creative and rigorous process that demands experience and multiple skills. But, although all translations offer some complexity, some languages are more challenging than others. What is the reason for this?

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