Our Story
Ancient Translations was established on October 1/2010 and opened its doors online on December 3/2010. In some ways however, our story started much earlier than that.
As early as I can remember, I have been passionately in love with the study of Ancient Egypt. The magnificence of the Pyramids framed by the enigmatic Sphinx. It can't help but inspire awe in both the young and the old. While I chose a rewarding career in technology, this childhood dream inspired me. I would say.. often times in whispered tones... "Someday... I will be there"....
It was during our first wedding anniversary, that my feet were firmly planted in the land of Ancient Egypt. Before traveling there, I had decided to study Hieroglyphs. I had the sincere hope of being able to appreciate the monuments even more by understanding their inscriptions. We had an amazing time in our journey and my wife grew fully infected with my enthusiasm for the culture. When people asked us, "How was your trip?" we had trouble saying anything other than, "It was the adventure of a lifetime". Even so, I have a confession to make.
I wasn't entirely successful in mastering Middle Egyptian. Disappointing? Hardly. The simple truth is, I could never have imagined a language more unique and more beautiful. Amazingly, Ancient Hieroglyphic Egyptian uses both sound signs, as well as picture signs to indicate meaning. It is written in both left to right, as well as right to left! An idea can be expressed in as few as a handful of symbols, or the same identical idea expressed in as many as a dozen. The language has a feeling about it... a sacredness, but also an incredible humanity. Phrases such as...
As early as I can remember, I have been passionately in love with the study of Ancient Egypt. The magnificence of the Pyramids framed by the enigmatic Sphinx. It can't help but inspire awe in both the young and the old. While I chose a rewarding career in technology, this childhood dream inspired me. I would say.. often times in whispered tones... "Someday... I will be there"....
It was during our first wedding anniversary, that my feet were firmly planted in the land of Ancient Egypt. Before traveling there, I had decided to study Hieroglyphs. I had the sincere hope of being able to appreciate the monuments even more by understanding their inscriptions. We had an amazing time in our journey and my wife grew fully infected with my enthusiasm for the culture. When people asked us, "How was your trip?" we had trouble saying anything other than, "It was the adventure of a lifetime". Even so, I have a confession to make.
I wasn't entirely successful in mastering Middle Egyptian. Disappointing? Hardly. The simple truth is, I could never have imagined a language more unique and more beautiful. Amazingly, Ancient Hieroglyphic Egyptian uses both sound signs, as well as picture signs to indicate meaning. It is written in both left to right, as well as right to left! An idea can be expressed in as few as a handful of symbols, or the same identical idea expressed in as many as a dozen. The language has a feeling about it... a sacredness, but also an incredible humanity. Phrases such as...
May you feel young again!
Ring as true today... as they did so long ago. My limited expertise in Hieroglyphs lived on. My skills were enough to make some very special gifts for friends. One friend greatly appreciated a poem I wrote. Another spent a brilliant evening with me translating inscriptions she had photographed while traveling. With each gift, I shared my passion for the language and they marveled to say "Who else, but you could do this for me?".
An idea had been born.. but I hadn't realized it yet. It wasn't until reading an Egyptology magazine, that somehow I stumbled upon it. The idea of combining my extensive technology skills, with a network of Egyptologists. Giving the world accessibility to the inside track of this beautiful and Ancient Language. My mind wandered, and the idea began to take shape.
It was easy to imagine a young child opening a present from a loving family member. They tear the wrapping paper away, and discover..... not only a book on Hieroglyphs, but also a custom message for them to translate. They puzzle over it and learn with wonderment for themselves. The language is not just a sequence of symbols that make up words... but it has character and a feeling unto itself.
I could imagine, people wondering about artifacts they may own and wanting a real translation. Movie writers and authors who wish to bring authenticity to their work with a genuine ancient language. Not only Ancient Egyptian, but other languages as well. The more I thought and imagined, the more galvanized I became to provide this service to the world. In that moment, our company was born within my imagination.
It didn't end there of course.
Ancient Translations, chose me as much as I chose it. What began as a moment of inspiration, turned into ninety-nine moments of perspiration. I began to see the challenges that landed before us, as benefits. "This isn't easy", I would tell myself... and then say "And that is why we will be the first in the world to do it".
I am sitting here, on the other edge of that dream. I am now living, that unique and wonderful role. In operating Ancient Translations, I combine my technology experience with a love of the Ancient.
It is my unique honor to provide customers just like you, services from world-renowned experts of the Ancient World. Welcome to Ancient Translations.
An idea had been born.. but I hadn't realized it yet. It wasn't until reading an Egyptology magazine, that somehow I stumbled upon it. The idea of combining my extensive technology skills, with a network of Egyptologists. Giving the world accessibility to the inside track of this beautiful and Ancient Language. My mind wandered, and the idea began to take shape.
It was easy to imagine a young child opening a present from a loving family member. They tear the wrapping paper away, and discover..... not only a book on Hieroglyphs, but also a custom message for them to translate. They puzzle over it and learn with wonderment for themselves. The language is not just a sequence of symbols that make up words... but it has character and a feeling unto itself.
I could imagine, people wondering about artifacts they may own and wanting a real translation. Movie writers and authors who wish to bring authenticity to their work with a genuine ancient language. Not only Ancient Egyptian, but other languages as well. The more I thought and imagined, the more galvanized I became to provide this service to the world. In that moment, our company was born within my imagination.
It didn't end there of course.
Ancient Translations, chose me as much as I chose it. What began as a moment of inspiration, turned into ninety-nine moments of perspiration. I began to see the challenges that landed before us, as benefits. "This isn't easy", I would tell myself... and then say "And that is why we will be the first in the world to do it".
I am sitting here, on the other edge of that dream. I am now living, that unique and wonderful role. In operating Ancient Translations, I combine my technology experience with a love of the Ancient.
It is my unique honor to provide customers just like you, services from world-renowned experts of the Ancient World. Welcome to Ancient Translations.
It has come from beginning to end.
Sincerely,
