The millennia-long journey of translation theory and practice
· 8 min read
Translation stands as humanity's oldest intellectual bridge, connecting civilizations across linguistic divides for over 5,000 years. From ancient Mesopotamian scribes etching bilingual tablets to contemporary AI systems processing millions of words per second, the practice of rendering meaning across languages has fundamentally shaped human knowledge, culture, and power structures. This comprehensive history traces translation's evolution from practical necessity to sophisticated theoretical discipline, revealing how each era's approach to translation reflects its deepest cultural values and technological capabilities.