Author name: Yohan VIANDIER

1. A fascinating story in the world of translation The Bible is the most translated book in the history of humanity, currently available in more than 3,000 languages. It was originally written in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek and was first translated in antiquity. The best-known translated version is the Septuagint, the Greek Old Testament. Later, Luther’s German translation in the 16th century marked a turning point by making the text accessible to the general public. Missionaries went on to translate the text into hundreds of local languages, playing a key role in preserving many cultures. The main challenge was to translate a spiritual text while honouring the cultural and linguistic nuances of each community. 2. A global cultural influence The Bible is present on every continent, profoundly shaping societies by influencing traditions, the arts, law and moral codes. Its integration varies across regions. In Africa, it is often intertwined with local rituals, while in Europe and the Americas, it has shaped literature, painting and even legal systems. Beyond its religious significance, the Bible is even considered a moral compass, and a source of universal values. 3. A living work The Bible remains a powerful source of inspiration to this day. It is available in digital formats, accessible on mobile devices and translated into rare languages. It plays an active role in contemporary debates, from human rights to ethics and bioethics, and encourages dialogue between faiths, particularly Islam and Judaism. The challenge today is for the Bible to maintain its relevance in a globalised, secular world, while staying true to its core message. Main sources: United Bible Societies https://www.unitedbiblesocieties.org Ethnologue – Languages of the World https://www.ethnologue.com Wycliffe Global Alliance https://www.wycliffe.net British Library – ‘The History of the Bible’ https://www.bl.uk/sacred-texts/articles/the-bible The Bible and culture – Encyclopædia Universalis https://www.universalis.fr/encyclopedie/bible/ UNESCO – Index Translationum Database of the world’s most translated books: http://www.unesco.org/xtrans/ Youtube Linkedin Fluent Planet Menu Accueil L’entreprise Blog Contact Contact 26 rue Elisée Reclus, 33000 Bordeaux – France +33 5 56 51 76 05 contact@fluent-planet.com

Translation and interculturality: a key distinction Translating a text word for word might seem sufficient, that is until the message falls flat, causes offence or is misunderstood. This is where the notion of intercultural communication comes in. It is about adapting a message to align with the norms, values, references and unique characteristics of the target culture. A perfectly ordinary phrase in one language can come across as rude, confusing or even offensive in another if it is not carefully adapted. For example, an emotionally charged and direct advertising campaign that works well in North America could be seen as intrusive or awkward in parts of Asia or Africa, where indirect communication and respect for hierarchy are more valued. When translation misses the mark: the consequences Errors in intercultural communication can sometimes have serious repercussions, including: A failed product launch, Loss of trust from international partners, Damage to brand image, And even diplomatic or legal tensions. One classic example is Pepsi’s slogan ‘Come alive with the Pepsi generation’, which was awkwardly translated into Chinese as: ‘Pepsi brings your ancestors back from the dead’. This translation blunder goes beyond a simple linguistic error, it reflects a deeper lack of cultural awareness. Working towards inclusive and mindful translation Today, translation must also address the challenges of accessibility and inclusion. This involves: Using clear, simple language that is accessible to diverse audiences; Avoiding gender, racial, or cultural biases in word choices; Considering the needs of individuals with linguistic or cognitive disabilities; Being aware of cultural differences in references and symbols. A good translation is not only faithful to the original text, it also captures the intent, tone, and expected reception within the target culture. Main sources: Hofstede Insights – Cultural Dimensions Theory https://www.hofstede-insights.com/models/national-culture/ Common Sense Advisory – ‘Can’t Read, Won’t Buy’ (2020) https://csa-research.com UNESCO – Multilingualism and inclusion https://en.unesco.org/themes/multilingualism The Guardian – ‘Lost in Translation’ (2011) https://www.theguardian.com Youtube Linkedin Fluent Planet Menu Home Our agency Blog Contact us Contact 26 rue Elisée Reclus, 33000 Bordeaux – France +33 5 56 51 76 05 contact@fluent-planet.com

Machine translation has made impressive progress but is still lacking in cultural adaptation Tools like Google Translate and DeepL have revolutionised instant translation. It is now possible to grasp the general meaning of a text within seconds, regardless of the language pair. For international businesses, this is a major step forward in terms of productivity and accessibility. However, these tools often overlook cultural, idiomatic, and social nuances. A machine translation may be grammatically correct, yet still miss the intended meaning, tone, or context. This means that human interpreters and intercultural experts still have a key role to play. For example, in some cultures, using formal address (like ‘vous’ in French) is a crucial sign of respect, while others value a more informal approach. An AI system struggles to interpret such subtle differences without human input. Digital inclusion: a global challenge As communication technologies evolve, ensuring linguistic and cognitive accessibility has become a key issue. To be truly inclusive, digital platforms must: Provide clear, multilingual content; Use simple, accessible language; Integrate features for people with disabilities, such as subtitles, audio narration, and adapted formats. Companies like Fluent Planet are helping organisations make this shift, ensuring that technology does not create new barriers, but instead serves as a tool for inclusion and accessibility. AI and multiculturalism: getting closer to human intelligence The use of conversational AIs such as ChatGPT, multilingual chatbots and voice assistants, is rapidly growing in popularity for engaging with international audiences. But for these tools to be truly effective, they must be trained to recognise cultural differences, local references and unique social characteristics. This is why it is essential to involve intercultural communication experts in the training of AI systems, to prevent cultural bias, avoid misunderstandings, and ensure respectful interactions. Main sources: UNESCO – Digital inclusion and linguistic diversity https://en.unesco.org/themes/information-inclusion Common Sense Advisory – Localisation and digital accessibility https://csa-research.com DeepL vs Google Translate: Cultural Limitations https://www.theverge.com MIT Technology Review – AI and Cultural Bias https://www.technologyreview.com Youtube Linkedin Fluent Planet Menu Home Our agency Blog Contact us Contact 26 rue Elisée Reclus, 33000 Bordeaux – France +33 5 56 51 76 05 contact@fluent-planet.com

Innovation is born from cultural diversity Behind every great invention lies not just a context and a need, but also a rich blend of ideas and influences. History offers countless examples of how cross-cultural exchanges have sparked innovation: the compass (China), paper (Egypt, China), Arabic numerals (India, Islamic world, Europe), and so on. Inventors rarely work on their creations in isolation, they observe, draw inspiration, and interpret the world around them. Innovation, by its very nature, is intercultural. It thrives when different perspectives come together. Inventors committed to inclusive technology Technology is no longer neutral, it must reflect and address the needs of a diverse society. Today, a great number of inventors are focused on creating solutions designed for everyone, including: multilingual applications; interfaces accessible to people with disabilities; objects tailored to local and cultural contexts. Inventing has evolved into a socially driven endeavour, one that carries purpose and promotes equity. Mindful innovation: an ethical responsibility Invention in the 21st century needs to be responsible. Designed for global use, it must respect cultural, linguistic and social diversity. The questions today’s inventors ask themselves include: Is my product understood everywhere? Am I unintentionally excluding someone? What social or cultural biases might it create? To innovate is to anticipate. And above all, it is about listening to the world before trying to change it. Inventors as builders of human bridges Today, the best inventors are not only engineers. They are people who understand human needs, are able to interpret social norms, grasp languages and appreciate subtle differences. They build bridges between worlds by creating tools that are universal, yet preserve diversity. It’s not technology alone that changes the world, but the intention that drives it. Main sources: National Geographic – Inventions that have changed the world https://www.nationalgeographic.fr UNESCO – Innovation and inclusion https://en.unesco.org/themes/science-technology-and-innovation World Intellectual Property Organization – Innovation and Culture https://www.wipo.int Harvard Business Review – How Inclusive Innovation Drives Growth https://hbr.org Youtube Linkedin Fluent Planet Menu Home Our agency Blog Contact us Contact 26 rue Elisée Reclus, 33000 Bordeaux – France +33 5 56 51 76 05 contact@fluent-planet.com