Posts Tagged ‘Chicago Translation Services’

Translation Services in the 1800’s

Immigrant populations have always been an important factor in the histories and cultures of the cities of Chicago, Boston and Baltimore.Of course, the immigrants imported their native languages, which helped shape the identity of these cities.

But by the late 19th century, Baltimore was considered by many to be one of the single most important gateway cities in the United States. Not unlike other cities in the United States, it was a cosmopolitan city. There were almost as many native speakers of German as there were English in Baltimore. Chinese, French and Italian became increasingly popular, and by the time of the Civil War, the Chinese were one of the largest immigrant groups in the United States. Baltimore, along with nearly every other city of any size, had a Chinatown due to the large numbers of Chinese immigrants who were recruited to build rail lines. Chinese businesses began to spring up all over the country. At this time, Baltimore Translation became increasingly in demand. Baltimore was a unique city in that it did not experience an anti-immigrant movement like most other American cities. Therefore, Baltimore became a major center for Baltimore translators of all languages. Similarly, Boston has also long been considered a gateway city to the rest of the United States. Boston, another East Coast city similar in size to Baltimore, is also known as an immigrant-friendly city.

But unlike Baltimore, Boston has attracted immigrants from Eastern Europe and Russia because of its similarities to European cities and its location. The United States Census Bureau reports that Russians are among the largest ethnic groups in Boston. The number of translation jobs with Boston Translation has exploded along with the Russian and East European immigration explosion. The suburbs of Chelsea and Brookline are home to a large number of translation services, each specializing in its own class of languages.

Chicago is different because of its location, but it is similar to Boston and Baltimore in other ways. As a gateway city, Chicago was first settled by speakers of the French language. During the 1840s and 1850s there was a flood of German immigrants into Chicago. This was Chicago?s period of most rapid growth, which coincided with Europe’s mass exodus to the United States. The need for Chicago translators increased tremendously because more than half the population of the city was foreign-born during the mid-1800s. By the end of the 19th century, most of the residents of Chicago had come over from Europe. German translators, Polish translators and Italian translators were most in demand, but Korean language translations and Japanese language translation agencies were also sprouting up all over the city. Throughout the 20th century, the ethnic neighborhoods in Chicago grew and became more prosperous. This led to an even more pronounced need. Beginning in 1945, there was also a huge wave of Japanese immigrants to Chicago. These were typically former prisoners in internment camps in California. The demand for Chicago Translator companies grew rapidly in parallel with the growth of the Japanese population in the city.

We worked hard to bring you this interesting account of the start of translation service companies in Baltimore, Chicago and Boston and hope that you have found it interesting. Our next article in this series will focus on the growth of translation companies in Atlanta, Dallas, and Las Vegas.

Professional Translation Services in Early America

Since the time of the settlers, immigrants have had an important impact on the history and culture of American cities such as Boston, Baltimore and Chicago.The languages these people brought to the new world have had a huge impact on the cultural life in the cities.

It is common knowledge among historians that by the end of the 19th century, Baltimore had become the most important city for immigrants to the new world. Similar to other cities of its size at the time, it was a highly international city. The German language was a close second to English when it came to the most commonly spoken language in Baltimore. Chinese, French and Italian became increasingly popular, and by the time of the Civil War, the Chinese were one of the largest immigrant groups in the United States. Recruited to build the railroads, by the 1870s nearly every city of significant size – including Baltimore – had a “Chinatown” made up of restaurants, laundries, and a number of Chinese schools, temples, and homes. At this time, Baltimore Translation became increasingly in demand. The Chinese enjoyed a welcoming population in Baltimore, which was unlike other areas of the United States, where there was a backlash against immigrant groups. Thus, Baltimore developed into a center for Baltimore translators in languages spoken by every immigrant group. Similarly, Boston has also long been considered a gateway city to the rest of the United States. Boston, another East Coast city similar in size to Baltimore, is also known as an immigrant-friendly city.

But unlike Baltimore, Boston has attracted immigrants from Eastern Europe and Russia because of its similarities to European cities and its location. According to the US Census bureau, there are between 40,000 and 50,000 Russian-speaking immigrants in Boston. Of course, this population has brought with it increasing demand for professional Boston Translation for documents such as certificates and immigration paperwork. All of Boston, but particularly Brookline, hosts a large group of Russian translators who serve in Boston translation services.

Chicago is different because of its location, but it is similar to Boston and Baltimore in other ways. French explorers were among the first settlers in the area known as Chicago. The big wave of immigration to Chicago occurred between 1840 and 1860. As Europeans were fleeing famine in Europe, Chicago was accepting them as new inhabitants of their city. By 1860, half of the city?s residents were foreign-born, spurring the need for Chicago translators and Chicago interpreters. At the end of the 1800s more than 80 percent of the population of Chicago were born in Europe. French translators, Spanish translators and German translators were most prevalent, but Japanese translation services were also common throughout the city. Throughout the mid-1900s, German neighborhoods grew and consolidated, leading to an even greater need for expert translation services. After WWII, tens of thousands of former Japanese prisoners from California made their ways to Chicago in hopes of starting a new life there. The demand for Chicago Translation Services companies grew rapidly in parallel with the growth of the Japanese population in the city.

Thank you for your continued interest in the origins of translation service companies in the United States. Our next article in this series will focus on the growth of translation companies in Atlanta, Dallas, and Las Vegas.