Training translators to work for the EU institutions: luxury or necessity?

Abstract

The European Union (EU), a sui generis geopolitical entity, non-comparable to any other due to its supranational character, unquestionably gives rise to a multicultural and multilingual activity which is unique and as such quite challenging for all those involved. The idiosyncrasy of the EU and of the text production and translation that take place within its institutions poses particular problems to translators, interfering with their competence and ability to succeed in the EU's vigorous and painstaking translator selection process. Similarly, the EU has trouble recruiting translators who meet its quality requirements and are able to deal successfully with the specificities of its official texts. Our claim is that the problems which EU translators face cannot be solved 'on the job,' without prior special training. This training has to be offered by universities in close collaboration with the EU itself. It needs to focus on the socio-political reality of the EU and its unique linguistic status quo and include extensive hands-on practical translation work with a clear focus on the linguistic conventions and demands of EU texts.