Modern society is built on the ability of people to negotiate with each other. But it is so difficult to take the side of the interlocutor, to recognize his arguments and come to a unified position. Especially if the participants in the discussion literally communicate in different languages. An interpreter, a specialist in building international bridges, will help fix this. What is the meaning of the term, when and how did it originate, and can it be used today?
Turkish origin
Many refer to Fasmer when it comes to etymology. The Old Russian "tl'mach" meant someone like a translator, but at the same time, philologists indicate a possible borrowing from the Turkic languages. Why? Easily verifiable facts are cited as evidence: “interpreter” is a word that not only sounds similar, but also retains the pronunciation of the original. Moreover, one can find semantically close meanings in languages related to the alleged source.
Literally read
What did the term refer to? After all, the ancestors in many situations usedthe word "talker". Value is literally scattered between similar activities:
- spoken interpreter;
- intermediary in the conversation;
- interpreter;
- commentator.
The main interpretation is the translation for a Russian person in communication with a foreigner and vice versa. Representatives of the aristocracy often spoke several languages, but for important negotiations they sought the help of narrow specialists.
In addition, an assistant was needed to decipher a special manner of speech. If the speaker, due to age or illness, had problems with diction, or he acted as an oracle, simply saying “visions”. Who will convey the information to the audience, explain it and present it in a digestible format? It's the interpreter!
Allegorical meaning
The concept itself is outdated long ago, it was replaced by a standard "translator". However, the word is preserved in everyday speech in its original form, but with an ironic twist. Sometimes it is used in relation to professionals to smooth out an awkward situation. It is also possible to use it for those who like to comment on everything, including the speech just made.
Relevance of the word
The definition is not useful for your work. It has long disappeared from official documents, and more modern synonyms are used in the business sphere.
As a result, today, "interpreter" is an opportunity to entertain others: either with erudition, knowledge of terminology when solving crossword puzzles, or in conversations on historic altopic. Also, the concept has become a good basis for a joke, if one of the friends cannot live for a minute without the author's retelling of well-known news.
