On April 23rd every year, we celebrate Spanish Language Day to honor the richness and diversity of one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. With over 460 million native speakers and 580 million total speakers, Spanish plays a significant role in global communication and cultural exchange.
Beyond its linguistic importance, Spanish Language Day is an opportunity to celebrate the vibrant cultures that have shaped and been shaped by the language. From the passionate rhythms of flamenco in Spain to the colorful festivals of Latin America, Spanish-speaking countries offer a wealth of traditions, art, music, and cuisine that captivate people around the globe.
On this day, we as language enthusiasts, students, and native speakers come together to appreciate the beauty of Spanish. Whether you are learning Spanish for travel, work, or personal enrichment, Spanish Language Day serves as a reminder of the power of language to connect people and bridge cultural divides.
We had the chance to speak with one of our Spanish Interpreters, Mariajose Hernandez, who just recently started working with us:
“I have been bilingual for about 16 years, which feels amazing now that I think about it. For the past 7 years, I have lived outside of my home country in many different cities in which mainly we spoke English or another language. None of those languages is my mother tongue, Spanish, which I was raised in. I always felt something was missing but I had the biggest advantage of being able to communicate in other languages without obstacles.
But I am aware, this is not the situation for everyone. And this is why, I became an interpreter. Not only because of the desire to extinguish language barriers but because I was a migrant myself, I had lived the experience of a language barrier in my skin. Not understanding and not being understood, struggling to communicate, and how it eventually isolates you from others when you lose yourself in the conversations or are too scared to reach out. From doctors’ appointments to coffee with friends…
I believe becoming an Interpreter goes beyond just providing a translation service to ensure terms are being properly communicated but to bridge cultural barriers, differences, and values. To understand where we stand, where we come from, and why we do it. Not only to get to know us better but our history, which shaped us into what we are today. There is no greater feeling than knowing your 3 minutes could have made a life-changing moment for someone.” – MJ Hernandez Garcia, Spanish-English Interpreter.
So, let’s raise a toast to the Spanish language, a source of inspiration, creativity, and unity for millions worldwide.
From our Homeland Language Services family to yours,
¡Feliz Día del Idioma Español!
