May 21 marks World Cultural Diversity Day, a day that celebrates the diverse cultures, traditions, and languages that make our world so beautiful and unique. 

And to everyone within the language industry, World Cultural Diversity Day is a yearly reminder that culture is a crucial driving force behind our amazing industry. 

This is because cultural diversity allows us, as professionals, to bridge the linguistic and cultural gaps in the world. 

That’s why today, in celebration of World Cultural Diversity Day, we are exploring the relationship between cultural diversity and how the language industry contributes to global cultural diversity.

PRESERVING INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES:

The language industry is fundamental to preserving indigenous languages and providing an avenue of communication for native speakers. 

Not only do interpreters and translators allow indigenous speakers to participate in various settings, such as legal proceedings, community events, and educational settings. Indigenous experts document and record indigenous languages creating a comprehensive record for future generations. 

These records such as dictionaries and grammar guides give aspiring speakers avenues of education while video and audio recordings help to promote and spread awareness for these historical languages to ensure they are never forgotten.

INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION:

The ability to communicate across cultures is at the core of what we, as language professionals do. 

We act as cultural mediators, between individuals, businesses, and organisations from diverse cultural backgrounds. 

Our expertise allows us to bridge cultural gaps and foster mutual understanding, contributing to global diversity and cooperation.

DIVERSITY OF PROFESSIONALS:

Because of the nature of our work, language service companies often have some of the most culturally diverse workplaces in the world. 

Since it’s not uncommon for professionals to possess fluency in multiple languages, every translator, interpreter and localisation expert often has a comprehensive understanding of various cultures.

And because LSPs must meet the needs of their global clientele, recruitment needs to represent a variety of countries, cultural backgrounds, and linguistic communities which helps contribute to cultural diversity in thousands of workplaces across the world. 

PROMOTING CULTURAL INCLUSIVITY:

In a constantly globalised world, the need for cultural inclusiveness is ever important. 

And as language professionals, we play a crucial role in promoting inclusivity and equal access to information for a diverse range of people and cultures. We ensure that messages, knowledge, and materials are culturally appropriate and accessible to a comprehensive range of audiences.

And aside from providing a bridge of communication between cultures our industry also raises awareness about the diverse range of languages worldwide and emphasises the importance of cross-cultural collaboration.