According to many critics one of the most fascinating cities of the American south, Nashville, embodies the idea of the American “melting pot.” Being the home of various religions, customs and traditions, the Music City in the past, present and future has had, has and will have a very diverse and illustrious population. The largest communities populating the city are Asian, Middle East, Hispanic and Native American. But while it is the home of country music and one of the major music recording centers only about 19,000 people earn their living from the music industry. The capital city of Tennessee is also an educational center comprising sixteen colleges and universities, two medical schools, two law schools, and six graduate business schools. It also has a very distinctive Nashville Translator which is always at disposal to the many visitors of the city. It offers expert interpretation and translation assistance to the tourists. For example it can be indispensable at events like the Grand Ole Opry which is country music’s most famous stage and where foreign music lovers may experience difficulties with understanding the strong regional accent.

Another great city of the American south is Louisville, Kentucky. Shipping and cargo transfer have always been key activities for a city occupying a key position on the Ohio River. The city’s demographics show 77% Caucasian and 19% African American population. However, recently Louisville has also become the home of many newly-arrived immigrants, as more than 60 languages are spoken in Louisville’s public schools. Those interested in the bourbon whiskey industry may find it interesting that some of America’s top bourbon whiskey makers like Maker’s Mark and Jim Beam distill their “water of life” in the region. Despite the fact that the Louisville citizens are a very cosmopolitan crowd in every respect they still insist on the Southern style and traditions. One of these traditions is the Kentucky Derby horse racing which is held every year in May. Hat-makers produce all sorts of hats for the event – derbies, coifs, birettas and bowler hats. The mint julep and the stewed burgoo have always been the crowd’s favorite refreshments. But to the untrained tourists all this will remain a mystery unless they use the Louisville Translation to guide them through all these strange customs and rituals.

The “Gateway to the West” – this what image St. Louis has acquired over the years. The last of the greatest outposts of the American Frontier and the major distributor for the enormous agricultural resources to the west of the Mississippi, St. Louis has many reasons to be proud of its history. Budweiser – America’s most famous beer brand came namely from St. Louis. In 1860, Eberhard Anheuser acquired a struggling brewery in St. Louis. By the beginning of the 1890s, together with his son-in-law, Adolphus Busch, they were already selling the first beer distributed nationally by rail – Budweiser. Similarly, William H. Danforth established the Purina Mills Company in 1893. Initially it began by manufacturing horse-feed and later it switched to other pet foods. St. Louis’ richest heritage is the diversity of its neighborhoods. One thing that sparkles the interest of St. Louisans is the histories about the neighborhoods and the development of the land. Most visitors will visit the Community Development Agency with the hope to read these histories, but will be surprised by how difficult it is to understand them unless they ask for help from the Saint Louis Translator which is always available to them.

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