The birth of translation, as a special type of human activity, and of a translator, as a specific profession, is rooted in ancient times. Translation began to emerge at a time when there was no written language, when ancient settlements began to contact neighboring tribes and communicated orally. The demand for this profession grew with the development of relations (trade, political, cultural, etc.) between initially only settlements, and then states.
The first mention of a human translator was recorded in ancient Egypt. The oldest image of an interpreter was discovered on an Egyptian bas-relief of the 3rd millennium BC. e., and the very first translator known by name is an Egyptian, the high priest in Thinis (XIV century BC) – Ankhurmes. As we know, in ancient times Egypt was a flourishing and majestic monarchy. And this means that Egypt had foreign policy relations with all neighboring states. They succeeded not only at the expense of a powerful army, but also at the expense of diplomacy, of course, which brought the status of a translator to a higher level. In ancient Egyptian texts of the XXVIII-XX centuries. BC. There are many references to the “chief of translators”, which means the existence in ancient Egypt of special professional translation groups with their own hierarchy. The first written monuments of translation in Egypt date back to the 15th century. BC. This is diplomatic correspondence translated from ancient Egyptian into Akkadian in cuneiform.
The culture of translation was also high in Ancient Sumer. This ancient state was conquered by Babylon, but it had a significant cultural influence on its conquerors. This contributed to the establishment and development of both information and communication and literary translation activities. The Sumerian schools also played a huge role. Their graduates translated from Sumerian into Akkadian and vice versa, orally and in writing.
There is also data on the activities of translators in the Hittite state (XVIII-XIII centuries BC). Written translations from Hurrian into Hittite have survived, as well as Sumerian-Akkado-Hittite dictionaries, evidence of contact with other ancient cultures.
The literature of Ancient Greece is the only European literature that developed independently. It is known that the Greeks treated other peoples with arrogance and, accordingly, contemptuously towards their “barbarian” languages. Thus, Greek literature in its classical period of the 5th-4th centuries. BC. did not know the literary translation at all. The Greeks, of course, had contacts with the outside world, but they were provided with mercenary translators, “barbarians” who knew the Greek language.
We meet significant traces of translation activity in the late period of Ancient Greece and after the collapse of the great power after the death of Alexander the Great. The Greek language became widespread and retained its significance even after it came under the rule of Rome.
Already in ancient times, people understood the importance of translation. And it was very difficult to find a translator at that time, because there was no such opportunity to learn foreign languages. And for many rulers, it was an important task to find a worthy translator for themselves. And we have already done it for you! Contact the Regional Translation Center. We will translate any document, affix the seals of our agency and, if necessary, notarize the translation. We are located in the city of Kharkov at the address per. Locksmith, 10 (m. pl. Constitution). We are open Mon-Fri from 9:00 to 19:00 and on Saturday from 9:00 to 15:00. Come to our office or call 38(097) 003-22-77, 38(073) 003-22-77, 38(066) 001-33-77.
