Language predates civilization itself. It is as old as humans’ capacity for abstract thought and
social organization. Over 7,000 distinct languages exist worldwide today, reflecting vast
cultural diversity and histories. Language is not just a means of communication but a carrier of
identity, tradition, and worldview. Its complexity and variability, while enriching, have long
posed challenges for understanding and translation.
Historically, societies have developed numerous ways to document and share language: oral
traditions, written scripts, printing presses, and eventually digital text. Each technological
leap—from Gutenberg’s printing press in 1440, which enabled mass dissemination of written
language, to the digital revolution—has expanded access to language and knowledge, shrinking
distances between people.
However, language diversity remains a barrier. In globalized trade, diplomacy, education, and
culture, language differences can create miscommunication and isolation. Bridging these
divides has been a persistent human endeavour.