Roots Translations

La Tomatina is the biggest food fight in the world 🍅 It’s held on the last Wednesday of August each year near Valencia in Spain. It starts with ham. After any one of the 20,000 participants climbs a greased wooden pole known as Palojanon and pulls the ham, La Tomatina begins. This iconic festival, which began in 1945 in the small town of Buñol, Spain, has grown into a global celebration of joy, culture, and community. Every year, tens of thousands gather to honour this unique tradition by hurling over 150,000 tomatoes in the world’s most colourful food fight for one hour. It was once banned in the early 50s due to complaints from residents. A tomato burial parade was held in August 1957 to bring it back. A music band played funeral songs and carried a coffin with a giant tomato. It was wildly successful and helped La Tomatina be recognised as an official festival. Since 1980, the town of Buñol has supplied the tomatoes, which are specifically grown for the event to ensure they’re ripe and harmless. #rootstranslations #latomatina #spanishculture

🌞 Buon Ferragosto! 🇮🇹 Ferragosto, (exact translation is Feast (Fest) of Agustus) celebrated on August 15th, is one of Italy’s most cherished holidays, steeped in history, culture, and tradition. Originally instituted by Emperor Augustus in 18 BCE as "Feriae Augusti," it was a time to rest after the hard work of the harvest. Today, Ferragosto is synonymous with summer, relaxation, and enjoying life with loved ones. Italians head to the coast, the countryside, or the mountains, filling the day with picnics, barbecues, and festive meals. Beaches are packed, towns host colorful parades, and fireworks light up the night sky. Traditional foods like grilled meats, pasta salads, and fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables are shared among family and friends. #rootstranslations #ferragosto #translationservices

Coming in HOT 🔥 Fire paan is a craze that's popular with street food stalls in Rajkot, India, and thought to be a great digestive aid and mouth freshener. Fillings can vary according to taste, but fire paan is created by wrapping a betel leaf around ingredients like spices, dried fruits, sugar, and nuts. 🔸Would you give this a go? 📷 @thewandererofnz #rootstranslations #indianculture #indianstreetfood

Old Phrases We Still Use Today and Where They Originated From - Part II "Give The Cold Shoulder" In the 1800s when you were no longer welcome at a dinner party, the host might serve you cold meat from pork or beef shoulder. "Caught Red Handed" In the 15th century in Scotland, criminals who were caught during the crime with blood on their hands were caught red handed. "Barking Up The Wrong Tree" In the 1800s, hunting with packs of dogs became very popular, and as the dogs ran after the prey, sometimes they would find themselves barking up in the trees where raccoons, squirrels and most animals ran to hide. "Burying the Hatchet" During the 17th century, native Americans would bury their weapons to mark a peace agreement. "Spill the Beans" In Ancient Greece, decisions were made by placing either a white or black bean into a vase, depending on whether they meant yes or no, and to spill the beans meant to reveal the results. #rootstranslations #oldphrases #language

📍Sigiriya (Lion's Rock), Sri Lanka As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is one of Sri Lanka's most treasured historical and cultural landmarks. It is a source of national pride and is featured prominently in Sri Lankan literature, art, and folklore. Sigiriya was transformed into a magnificent citadel by King Kashyapa in the 5th century AD. It served as his royal residence and a formidable fortress, showcasing advanced architectural and engineering skills of the time. The rock is famous for its ancient frescoes, depicting celestial maidens known as "Sigiriya Damsels." These vivid paintings have been preserved in their original vibrancy. A highly polished wall, known as the Mirror Wall, was once so reflective that the king could see himself while walking alongside it. The complex features elaborate gardens, including water gardens, terraced gardens, and cave gardens. These are some of the oldest landscaped gardens in the world. Today, Sigiriya is a major tourist attraction, drawing visitors from around the world. It serves as an educational site where people can learn about ancient Sri Lankan history, culture, and art. 📷 @jannescape #rootstranslations #unesco #srilanka

Old Phrases We Still Use Today and Where They Originated From - Part I "Bite the Bullet" In the days before painkillers existed, surgery was a lot more brutal. During war, when soldiers were wounded and had to be operated on, they were given a bullet to bite down on. "Box Office" During the time of Shakespeare, in his plays, a boy would stand with a box to take coins. Once the box got heavy, the boy would switch it with an empty box in a little room called the Box Office. "Show Their True Colours" During battle, warships would use multiple flags to confuse the enemy. However, warfare rules dictated that every ship must show its true flag before firing. "Piss Poor" During the 19th century in England, families who were poor used to sell their urine as it was used to tan animal skin, so families who did this to survive were considered "piss poor". "Hungover" During the Victorian Era, the lowest form of accommodation was access to a rope that you could hang over to sleep after being drunk. #rootstranslations #oldphrases #language

The San Fermín Festival in Pamplona, Spain, or the Running of the Bulls (or "Encierro" in Spanish), is a traditional event that takes place annually from July 6th to July 14th. Each day of the festival starts with a ceremony involving the raising of the red scarf (pañuelo rojo) at City Hall, signaling the beginning of the day's events. Every morning at 8:00AM, six bulls are released from a corral and run through the narrow streets of Pamplona. Participants, known as "mozos," dressed in white shirts and pants with red scarves and belts, run alongside the bulls, trying to reach the bullring safely. The run ends when the bulls enter the bullring, where they will later face matadors (bullfighters) in bullfights. The run itself covers a distance of approximately 850 meters (about half a mile) from the corral to the bullring. The San Fermín Festival is a deeply rooted tradition of Spanish culture and includes numerous cultural and religious events, such as processions, concerts, traditional dances (like the "Jotas"), and fireworks displays. During the festival, Pamplona transforms into a lively and vibrant city with tens of thousands from around the world coming to participate in the bull runs and enjoy the festivities. It's important to note that while the event is popular and iconic, it also carries inherent risks and has drawn criticism over the years due to safety concerns and animal welfare issues. #rootstranslations #spanishculture #runningofthebulls

How can something built 2,000 years ago still be standing today? 5 of the most enigmatic Roman engineering wonders: 1. The Pantheon, Rome, Italy (c.128 AD) Rome’s best preserved ancient monument, at 142 feet in diameter, its dome is still the largest unreinforced concrete dome ever built. The secret of its longevity is only a recent discovery. Roman concrete includes calcium carbonate lumps called “lime class”, which provide “self-healing” properties. 2. The Maison Carrée, Nîmes, France (c.2 AD) The best-preserved Roman temple anywhere. Built in the Corinthian order, it has a deep porch (portico) with six frontal column (hexastyle) leading up to a triangular pediment. Unsurprisingly, it provided the model for many neoclassical buildings around the world, including Thomas Jefferson’s Virginia State Capitol building. 3. The Tower of Hercules, A Coruña, Spain (2nd Century AD) The oldest lighthouse in the world, built by Emperor Trajan and modelled on the original plans for the Lighthouse of Alexandra. In mythology, the construction site was the place of one of Hercules’ greatest victories - his defeat of the giant tyrant Geryon. 4. The Verona Arena, Verona, Italy (c.30 AD) Verona’s amphitheatre was built c.40 years before the Colosseum to host gladiators. Incredibly, it’s still in use today as a concert venue, and its elliptical shape and tiered seating layout are remarkably similar to modern stadium designs. At its height it could accommodate 30,000 people. 5. The Aqueduct of Segovia, Segovia, Spain (c.50 AD) The mighty aqueduct in Segovia is among the best preserved Roman engineering feats - it was still being used as late as 1973. The structure has been held together in perfect balance by gravity (no cement or mortar holding the stones together) for two millennia - each stone is perfectly shaped to fit tightly with the next. #rootstranslations #ancienthistory #engineering

Happy Hump Day 🐪 What's going on in the translation industry this week? 🔸Italian - English marketing headlines reviews 🔸Italian - English medical reports 🔸English UK language evaluations 🔸Italian - English birth and marriage certificates 🔸English UK proofreading for business training sessions Very Italian heavy this week! Our Spanish/French/Swahili/Japanese translators are getting jealous. Get in touch with us for audiovisual, legal, and more general translation services. 👉 info@rootstranslations.com 👈 #translationservices #subtitlingservices #translation

📍Cocora Valley, Colombia This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to the world's tallest palm trees, the Quindío wax palms, which can grow up to 200 feet tall. They create a surreal landscape that feels like stepping into another world. Located in the heart of Colombia's coffee region, Cocora Valley is part of the Los Nevados National Natural Park. It also happens to be the place that inspired the setting of the Disney film Encanto. The classic 6.1-mile loop trail takes an average of four hours to complete. The unique cloud forest ecosystem here is a haven for rare species like the Andean condor and the yellow-eared parrot. Birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts will be in heaven, surrounded by the diverse flora and fauna. The name "Cocora" comes from a Quimbayan princess, Cocora, meaning "star of water." She was a beloved princess, and the valley was named in her honour. The indigenous Quimbaya people considered these palms sacred, and their legacy can still be felt in the valley today. 🔸If you're looking for a destination that combines natural wonder with cultural richness, Cocora Valley should be at the top of your list. #rootstranslations #colombia #culture