What is a historical celebration of international unity and competition that doubles up as a grand celebration of sportsmanship and the resilience of the human spirit? Undoubtedly, it is The Olympic Games, the latest iteration of which is taking place this Summer in Paris, France. One of the most beautiful aspects of the Games is its inclusive approach, with the multiple languages and cultures from different nations converging into one location. However, did you know that the Olympics recognizes one language as its first official language?
That language is French, honoring the legacy of Baron Pierre de Coubertin, a native French speaker who founded the modern first Olympic Games in 1894 in Athens. Though Greece held the ancient Olympic Games, Coubertin revived them in their current form. In Summer 2024, over 200 languages will be represented at the modern Olympic games in the host country of France. JR Language Translation Services is happy to provide information on the different language services that will be available at the Summer Olympics 2024 that will break down the language barriers of all the players and participants.
The Role of the French Language in the Olympic Games
French was the leading diplomatic language when the modern Olympics were founded in the late 19th century. The International Olympic Committee, or IOC, ‘s main headquarters are located in Lausanne, a French-speaking city in Switzerland. The IOC Olympic Charter also prioritizes French over English, honoring the founder, Coubertin’s legacy.
Language Policy of The International Olympic Committee
The International Francophone Organization (IFO) selects a designated person to send to the Olympics. Their role is to ensure the use of the language in official communications, such as signage, documents, and announcements. The IFO will immediately intervene if an exception were to occur. This preserves the French language’s historical role as the first official language in the Games.
Did You Know There Are More Official Languages?
There are three official languages of the Olympics: French, English, and that of the host nation. With over 200 nations being represented at the Games, having designated languages helps to facilitate communications across multiple linguistic backgrounds.
English is the Second Official Language of the Olympics
The IOC Olympic Charter recognizes English as one of the two official Olympic languages. This facilitates communications among the athletes, commentators, and sports officials, as English is spoken and understood worldwide. English is globally accepted as a ‘bridge’ language that connects people since over 80 nations use it as their preferred language.
Host Country Language: The Third Official Language
The third official language of the Olympics varies depending on the location of the games. The host country’s language is declared after the IOC announces the event venue. This practice allows the nation’s culture and language to be represented and highlighted. For the 2024 Paris Olympics, however, there will be no third official language, as the locales speak French, one of the designated official languages of the Olympics.
Next Olympic Games: Paris 2024
France and the Olympics share a common element: French as the official language. The 2024 Summer Olympics is being hosted in Paris, France, a primarily French-speaking city. Presenting the linguistic beauty of the language will be crucial for the Paris Olympics throughout all official communications.
By hosting this year in 2024, the city is also celebrating the 100th anniversary of the 1924 Paris Olympics. That event involved 3,092 competitors from 44 nations’ sports teams, paving the way for today’s modern Olympics.
Modern Olympic Games: The Importance of Language Services
The Paris Summer Olympics 2024 will showcase over 200 nations and multiple athletes and sports officials. From the opening ceremony to all competition events, a coordinated effort must be made to facilitate communication solutions seamlessly. This is where professional language services come in.
The Importance of Interpreters
Professional Interpretation services facilitate real-time communication at the Olympics, making these indispensable throughout all events. Interpreters can be found during press conferences, interviews, and official meetings. They provide simultaneous interpretation services for athletes, officials, and media present at the Olympics. They are needed at the Olympics for international athletes to understand instructions, rules, and safety protocols. Journalists from different countries also use professional interpreters to convey athletes’ messages accurately to their audience.
Since these are often intense events, most Olympic interpreters undergo years of specialized training to meet these demands. They become subject matter experts in various sports terminology to convey the correct information adequately. Since the events are in Paris, as well as French being the official language of the Olympics, many will be using interpreters who provide French language services. However, multilingual services such as Spanish language services will be utilized as there will be speakers of various languages from around the globe.
Professional Translation Services Transcends Language Barriers
Professional translation services allow participants and visitors to navigate throughout the Olympics. These include document translation services, such as official documents and signs. Officials may need to utilize website translation services for digital content and websites. One may also require travel translation services and certified translation services to cross international borders seamlessly.
Many translators are not only experts in their native language, but they are also multilingual and able to switch between languages as needed, enhancing the inclusivity and accessibility of the Games. From Arabic language services to Japanese language services and any other languages, professional translators are here to cover them all.
Pictograms: Multilingual Visual Communication
Since 1964 in Tokyo, pictograms have been used at the Olympic Games. These graphic symbols convey essential information clearly and help athletes and others navigate the venues. Also, host nations design unique pictograms reflecting their cultural identity and country’s history and traditions. These graphics not only offer information but also create a beautiful tapestry throughout the events, adding a unique flavor to every Olympic edition.
General Language Services
Athletes will often need personalized language services. Their sports team includes coaches, nutritionists, and other medical staff. Services might require translating medical records, dietary requirements, and training schedules. With general language services, everybody on the team can communicate with event staff as needed and help their athletes prepare and perform well.
JR Language Celebrates the Interpreters and Translators of Summer Olympics 2024
Modern Olympic Games will continue to grow in scale and diversity. With the advent of technology and media, the attention paid to events will always be prominent. With such large-scale events, the importance of language services will only increase. Ensuring effective communication and promoting inclusivity will remain at the heart of the Olympic movement, reflecting its core values of excellence, friendship, and respect.
Are you interested in learning more about the significance of language in global events, or do you need translation services for your next project? At JR Language, we’re here to help. Contact us today to ensure your message is clearly understood – we serve clients in over 100 languages!
