Behind the name of Teneo Linguistics Company 

Teneo Linguistics Company (TLC) is a certified small, woman-owned language services provider (LSP). But why Teneo? And what is the meaning behind the name?   

When TLC Owner and CEO Hana Laurenzo established the company 15 years ago, she didn’t want to go with the word “language” in the title. It was an overused and taken word among the thousands of LSPs.   

Teneo (tenere, tenui, tentus) is a Latin word meaning to master, to grasp, to hold, to comprehend, to maintain, or to get.   

“When Julius Ceasar stepped off the boat on the North shore of Africa, he got down on the ground, spread his arms as if to hug the land, and said ‘Teneo te, Africa!’ – ‘I hold/have you, Africa!’” Hana described about the word.

“Some say he actually fell on his face when stepping off of the boat and when people were laughing, he turned it into an intentional act, instead. I guess we’ll never know.”  

A name is very valuable in defining a company and creating an identity among competitors – it helps a business stand out from the crowd. A unique company name can help communicate the business strategy and is necessary for branding success.  

Hana adds, “Aside from the meaning, I like it is a conversation starter because people often ask me what that means or tell me they had looked it up. It also shows that we are paying homage to Latin, one of the most significant and influential languages in the history of mankind.”  

In addition, bringing in the word “linguistics” instead of “language” adds a professional and even scientific element to the TLC brand. Linguistics is the scientific study of human language. It is called a scientific study because it entails a comprehensive, systematic, objective, and precise analysis of all aspects of language, particularly its nature and structure.  

TLC has thousands of professional, experienced linguists in its database who are proficient in more than 180 languages. Industries served include life science organizations, government agencies, manufacturing companies, legal firms, educational departments, and a range of other businesses.  

The services TLC provides are customized to fit an agency’s organizational workflow. Lasting partnerships are formed with clients and TLC lives by four Core Values: Excellence, partnership, integrity, and gratitude.  

Overall, the name Teneo Linguistics Company was chosen because it reflects who we are as a business.  

Learn more about how TLC can support your company with language services by visiting www.tlctranslation.com.