Spokesman in different languages

Spokesman in Different Languages

Discover 'Spokesman' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.

Updated on March 6, 2024

A spokesman is a person who speaks on behalf of an organization or group, representing their views and interests. This role is often crucial in politics, business, and media, where clear and effective communication is key. The significance of a spokesman cannot be overstated, as they serve as the bridge between an organization and the public, shaping perception and influencing opinions.

Throughout history, spokesmen have played pivotal roles in various cultural and political movements. From Martin Luther King Jr., a civil rights leader who inspired millions with his powerful speeches, to the anonymous spokesmen who delivered Soviet news to the world during the Cold War, these individuals have left indelible marks on our global society.

Given the importance of this role, it's no surprise that people worldwide might be interested in learning the translations of 'spokesman' in different languages. Here are a few examples:

  • French: Porte-parole
  • Spanish: Portavoz
  • German: Sprecher
  • Mandarin: 发言人 (fā yán rén)
  • Japanese: 話し手 (hanashi te)

Spokesman


Spokesman in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaanswoordvoerder
The Afrikaans word "woordvoerder" is derived from the Dutch "woordvoerder" and is synonymous with "moderator" or "chairperson" as well as "spokesperson".
Amharicቃል አቀባይ
ቃል ኣቀባይ is also used to refer to an official position similar to that of an "advisor".
Hausakakakin
The word 'kakakin' can also refer to a specific type of Hausa praise singer or town crier.
Igboọnụ na-ekwuru ọnụ
Malagasympitondra
The word "mpitondra" (spokesman) is derived from the Malagasy words "mitondra" (to hold) and "tendry" (speech).
Nyanja (Chichewa)wolankhulira
The word 'wolankhulira' also means someone who is appointed to do a certain job, especially a chief advisor to a chief
Shonamutauriri
The word 'mutauriri' originates from the word 'taura', meaning 'to speak', thus implying one who speaks out on behalf of others.
Somaliafhayeen
The word "afhayeen" in Somali is derived from the Arabic word "fahiyyun", which means "interpreter".
Sesotho'muelli
'Muelli' can also refer to someone who is respected and trusted.
Swahilimsemaji
"Msemaji" is also used to refer to an advocate or spokesperson for a particular cause or group.
Xhosaisithethi
The term 'isithethi' refers to an individual appointed to speak on behalf of a particular group or organization, representing their interests and expressing their views.
Yorubaagbẹnusọ
The Yoruba word "agbẹnusọ" is also used to refer to a "mouthpiece" or "representative".}
Zuluokhulumela
The Zulu word "okhulumela" is derived from the verb "khuluma," meaning "to speak," and the prefix "oku," which indicates a noun class that includes people who perform certain actions.
Bambarakumalasela
Ewenyanuɖela
Kinyarwandaumuvugizi
Lingalamolobeli ya molobeli
Lugandaomwogezi w’ekitongole kino
Sepedimmoleledi
Twi (Akan)ɔkasafo

Spokesman in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicالمتحدث
The word "المتحدث" derives from the root "ثحد" meaning "to sharpen" or "to make pointed", referring to the eloquence and sharp tongue of the speaker.
Hebrewדוֹבֵר
Hebrew word "דובר" (spokesman) also means "bear" in Aramaic, and the name of the town "Tiberias"
Pashtoترجمان
The Pashto word "ترجمان" can also refer to an interpreter or a translator.
Arabicالمتحدث
The word "المتحدث" derives from the root "ثحد" meaning "to sharpen" or "to make pointed", referring to the eloquence and sharp tongue of the speaker.

Spokesman in Western European Languages

Albanianzëdhënës
"Zëdhënës" is a hybrid derivative from "zë" ("voice, sound") and "dëshmon" ("to witness, testify"), thus "one who attests or testifies with his voice."
Basquebozeramailea
The word 'bozeramailea' derives from 'bozera' (voice) and 'maile' (person), but it can also mean 'ambassador' or 'diplomat'.
Catalanportaveu
Portaveu derives from the Latin word "porta" meaning "gate" and "veu" meaning "voice".
Croatianglasnogovornik
Cognate with Russian “glasnost”, “glasnogovornik” literally translates to “voice speaker”.
Danishtalsmand
In Danish, the word "talsmand" can also refer to a "representative" or "agent".
Dutchwoordvoerder
The Dutch word 'woordvoerder' literally translates to 'word-driver' or 'one who drives the word'.
Englishspokesman
The word 'spokesman' derives from the Middle English 'spokesman', which itself comes from the Old English 'spræcmann', meaning 'speaker' or 'interpreter'.
Frenchporte-parole
Derived from "porter" (to carry) and "parole" (speech), "porte-parole" denotes someone who transmits messages.
Frisianwurdfierder
The Frisian word "wurdfierder" is derived from the Old Frisian "wurdfara", meaning "leader of a group" or "leader of a speech".
Galicianvoceiro
The word "voceiro" likely derives from the Latin word "vox," meaning "voice," and the suffix "-eiro," indicating an agent or doer of an action.
Germansprecher
The word "Sprecher" in German can also refer to a "telephone loudspeaker" or a "radio or television announcer."
Icelandictalsmaður
Talsmaður may also refer to a person who performs a task for which they do not have the formal authority or the necessary skills or knowledge
Irishurlabhraí
Italianportavoce
The Italian word "portavoce" can also refer to a megaphone or bullhorn.
Luxembourgishspriecher
In Luxembourgish, the word "Spriecher" not only means "spokesman", but can also refer to a person who is a chatterbox.
Maltesekelliem
The etymology of the word 'kelliem' is unknown, but it is possibly derived from the Arabic word 'kallima', meaning 'to speak'.
Norwegiantalsmann
Talsmann is also a colloquial term for a large, heavy man, a 'bigshot' or a 'heavy' person.
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)porta-voz
The word 'porta-voz' comes from Latin 'porta' (gate) and 'vox' (voice), meaning literally 'voice of the gate' or 'gate-keeper', which evolved into a meaning of 'intermediary' or 'messenger'.
Scots Gaelicneach-labhairt
The word 'neach-labhairt' can also refer to a 'representative' or 'spokesperson'.
Spanishportavoz
The word "portavoz" originates from the Latin "porta" (door) and "vox" (voice), and can also refer to a doorkeeper or a person who controls access.
Swedishtalesman
The word "talesman" can also mean a person who tells stories
Welshllefarydd
The word 'llefarydd' derives from two Welsh words meaning 'voice' and 'speech' and was first used as an official title in the 15th century.

Spokesman in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianпрэс-сакратар
The word "прэс-сакратар" comes from the French word "porte-parole" and the Russian word "пресс-секретарь".
Bosnianglasnogovornik
The word "glasnogovornik" originally meant "spokesperson for a group"
Bulgarianговорител
The word "говорител" literally means "speaker" or "talker" and is derived from the verb "говорить" (to speak or talk).
Czechmluvčí
"Mluvčí" in Czech can also mean "speaker" or "orator".
Estonianpressiesindaja
The word "pressiesindaja" is derived from the German word "Pressesprecher" and literally means "press speaker". It can also refer to a public relations officer or a media spokesperson.
Finnishtiedottaja
The word 'tiedottaja' also means 'press officer' in Finnish, originating from 'tiedotus' ('information').
Hungarianszóvivő
The word 'szóvivő' comes from the Hungarian words 'szó', meaning 'word' and 'vivő', meaning 'carrier', literally translating to 'word carrier'
Latvianpārstāvis
Pārstāvis contains the element pārstāt, which means 'to represent', and is also related to the word stāsts ('story').
Lithuanianatstovas spaudai
The word "atstovas spaudai" (spokesman) is used in Lithuanian media to refer to a person appointed by an organization or government agency to speak to the press and the public.
Macedonianпортпарол
"Портпарол" is Macedonian word of french origin which means "someone who speaks the same language"
Polishrzecznik
In Polish, "rzecznik" can also refer to an official representative or advocate.
Romanianpurtător de cuvânt
The Romanian word "purtător de cuvânt" literally translates to "word carrier" and can also refer to a "messenger" or "one who bears news".
Russianпредставитель
The archaic meaning of the Russian word "представитель" is "lawyer" (archaic equivalent is "ходатай")
Serbianгласноговорник
The word "гласноговорник" (spokesman) in Serbian is derived from the Slavic root "глас" (voice) and the suffix "-ник". It originally meant "one who speaks out" or "orator".
Slovakhovorca
The word "hovorca" is also used to refer to someone who speaks in public or delivers a speech.
Sloveniantiskovni predstavnik
"Tiskovni predstavnik" is derived from the German "Presse-sprecher" and can also mean "press officer".
Ukrainianречник
"Речник" (spokesman) also means "river dictionary" and "speaker of a river dialect".

Spokesman in South Asian Languages

Bengaliমুখপাত্র
The word "মুখপাত্র" (mukhopatro) in Bengali also means "mouthpiece" and "actor".
Gujaratiપ્રવક્તા
Hindiप्रवक्ता
The word 'प्रवक्ता' (pravakta) can also mean 'preacher', 'teacher', or 'prophet' in some contexts.
Kannadaವಕ್ತಾರ
ವಕ್ತಾರ ('vaktaara') is related to the root 'vaktum' meaning 'to speak' in Sanskrit.
Malayalamവക്താവ്
The alternate meaning of 'വക്താവ്' is an advisor or an orator
Marathiप्रवक्ता
प्रवक्ता (pravaktā) also means "speaker" or "orator" in Marathi.
Nepaliप्रवक्ता
The alternate meanings of "प्रवक्ता" include a spear and a shoot or sprout
Punjabiਬੁਲਾਰਾ
The word 'ਬੁਲਾਰਾ' can also mean 'mouthpiece', indicating a person who speaks on behalf of or represents an organization or group.
Sinhala (Sinhalese)ප්‍රකාශක
Tamilசெய்தித் தொடர்பாளர்
Teluguప్రతినిధి
The Telugu term "ప్రతినిధి" originated from a phrase in Sanskrit and can also mean either a 'substitute' or 'sample.'
Urduترجمان
In the 1850s, the word “tarjuman” was used not only for someone who translated but also meant “a person who speaks at length.”

Spokesman in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)发言人
"发言人"在台湾指称新闻发布会中负责发言的人,大陆则指媒体中负责新闻发布的人。
Chinese (Traditional)發言人
「發」在古文裡是「說」,「言人」就是幫人說話的意思,所以「發言人」是代表別人發言的人。
Japaneseスポークスマン
"スポークスマン" is derived from the nautical term "spokesman", a person who communicates orders from the captain to the crew.
Korean대변인
The Korean word "대변인" (spokesman) originated as a term used in the military, referring to someone who delivered official messages, but now has a broader meaning encompassing any person who represents an organization or group.
Mongolianтөлөөлөгч
The word for "spokesman" in Mongolian, "төлөөлөгч," derives from the term for "representatives" and suggests a delegated role.
Myanmar (Burmese)ပြောရေးဆိုခွင့်ရှိသူ

Spokesman in South East Asian Languages

Indonesianjuru bicara
"Juru" in Indonesian is taken from "juru" in Javanese which means "person", while "bicara" means to talk.
Javanesejuru wicoro
"Juru wicoro" is also used as the name of a traditional type of Javanese court gamelan, which is performed to accompany theatrical performances and processions.
Khmerអ្នកនាំពាក្យ
"អ្នកនាំពាក្យ" comes from the words 'speak' and 'person' or 'one who speaks'. This word is only used when referring to the spokesman for a group or institution."
Laoໂຄສົກ
Another meaning of ໂຄສົກ is "a person who gives a performance or display, especially for entertainment".
Malayjurucakap
The word "jurucakap" is also used to refer to a traditional Malay storyteller who performs at weddings and other ceremonies.
Thaiโฆษก
โฆษก can be traced back to the Sanskrit word घोष (ghoṣa), meaning "to proclaim" or "to announce".
Vietnamesengười phát ngôn
The word "người phát ngôn" also means " spokesperson" in Vietnamese.
Filipino (Tagalog)tagapagsalita

Spokesman in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijanispiker
The word "spiker" in Azerbaijani also refers to a "nail", an object made of metal that is used to join pieces of wood or other materials together.
Kazakhөкілі
The word "өкілі" is also used to refer to a "representative" or "intermediary".
Kyrgyzөкүлү
Өкүлү can also mean "delegate" or "representative" in Kyrgyz.
Tajikсухангӯй
Сухангӯй is derived from the Persian word sukhangu, which means someone who speaks well.
Turkmenmetbugat sekretary
Uzbekvakili
The word "vakili" is also used in some contexts to refer to a lawyer.
Uyghurباياناتچى

Spokesman in Pacific Languages

Hawaiianwaha ʻōlelo
The Hawaiian word "waha ʻōlelo" literally means "mouth of speech", with "waha" meaning "mouth" and "ʻōlelo" meaning "speech".
Maorikaikorero
The word "kaikorero" is related to the Maori word "korero", meaning "speech" or "conversation".
Samoanfofoga fetalai
The word "fofoga fetalai" in Samoan comes from the words "fofoga", meaning "voice", and "fetalai", meaning "to speak". It can also refer to a spokesperson or representative.
Tagalog (Filipino)tagapagsalita
Tagapagsalita is also a word that literally means 'one who says'.

Spokesman in American Indigenous Languages

Aymaraarxatiri
Guaranivocero

Spokesman in International Languages

Esperantoproparolanto
"Proparolanto" is derived from "pro" (for), "paroli" (to speak), and "anto" (one who does something).
Latinloquens
Loquens originates from the Latin verb 'loqui,' meaning 'to speak' or 'to say,' and is also used to refer to 'conversation' or 'speech' in general.

Spokesman in Others Languages

Greekεκπρόσωπος
The word "εκπρόσωπος" literally means "one who speaks out" in Greek, and can also refer to a representative or delegate.
Hmongtus cev lus
The Hmong word "tus cev lus" literally means "mouth of the crowd" or "mouth of the multitude".
Kurdishberdevk
The word 'berdevk' derives from the Persian word 'bardavish', meaning 'one who speaks out' or 'interpreter'.
Turkishsözcü
The word "sözcü" in Turkish has an additional meaning of "one who speaks" or "orator".
Xhosaisithethi
The term 'isithethi' refers to an individual appointed to speak on behalf of a particular group or organization, representing their interests and expressing their views.
Yiddishווארטזאגער
While 'vart' means 'become' in modern German, it originally carried the meaning of 'speak' in Old and Middle High German. Thus, "vart-sagen" originally meant 'to speak.'
Zuluokhulumela
The Zulu word "okhulumela" is derived from the verb "khuluma," meaning "to speak," and the prefix "oku," which indicates a noun class that includes people who perform certain actions.
Assameseমুখপাত্ৰ
Aymaraarxatiri
Bhojpuriप्रवक्ता के कहना बा
Dhivehiތަރުޖަމާނު ޑރ
Dogriप्रवक्ता जी
Filipino (Tagalog)tagapagsalita
Guaranivocero
Ilocanopannakangiwat
Kriodi pɔsin we de tɔk fɔ di pɔsin
Kurdish (Sorani)وتەبێژی...
Maithiliप्रवक्ता
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯋꯥꯉꯥꯡꯂꯣꯏ꯫
Mizothupuangtu a ni
Oromodubbi himaa
Odia (Oriya)ମୁଖପାତ୍ର
Quechuarimaq
Sanskritप्रवक्ता
Tatarвәкиле
Tigrinyaኣፈኛ
Tsongamuvulavuleri

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