Translating and Interpreting for the European Union

Transcription

1 Translating and Interpreting for the European Union Rebecca Watts Translator, European Commission SWATI, University of Westminster 2 June 2018

2 Languages in the EU administrative system 24 Official/Working/Treaty languages 5 Additional languages: Basque, Catalan, Galician, Scottish Gaelic, Welsh 3 Procedural languages: English, French, German

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4 Linguist careers in the EU: 3 roles Translator Interpreter Lawyer linguist

5 Linguists in the EU Translators : ± 4,200 Interpreters: ± 1,000 European Economic & Social Committee European Central Bank European Parliament Council Translation Centre Court of Auditors Court of Justice Committee of the Regions

6 DG Translation Some 2200 translators and support staff 47% in Brussels 52% in Luxembourg 1% in Field Offices in Member States

7 We cover all subject areas

8 DGT's English-language department Main task is translating documents from EU member states Translates into EN from 22 other EU languages (not Irish) Translated 207,863 pages in 2016; over half outsourced 112 staff translators across three units (April 2017) Units focus on different policy areas: 2 in BXL, 1 in LUX Covers documents across full range of EU policies

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10 Working for us: staff categories Permanent staff member (EU official) Temporary/Contract staff External contractor (freelance) Trainee (intern)

11 Language ability for permanent staff, temporary staff, contract staff Perfect command of main language/mother tongue, which must be an EU official language Very sound knowledge of a first source language, must be an EU official language Very sound knowledge of a second source language, must be an EU official language No language certificate required! We test you

12 Permanent staff: basic criteria You must be an EU citizen You need a bachelor's degree in any subject Translator: no master's degree required Interpreter: conference interpreting master's No professional experience is required

13 Permanent staff member: recruitment procedure Permanent staff are taken on through a two-stage procedure: selection followed by recruitment. The selection phase is an open competition: an EU civil service exam lasting around 9 months. Applicants take a series of tests to determine the best candidates, who are placed on a reserve list. Second, in the recruitment phase, managers seeking new staff choose candidates from the reserve list. Entire process managed through

14 The competition process Create an EPSO account and apply online Computer-based pre-selection tests in L1 + Language competency tests in L2 and L3 Translation tests L2 -> L1 and L3 -> L1 Assessment centre: Group exercise, structured interview, oral presentation 14

15 What can the Commission offer you? 4,700/month starting salary Good leave entitlement Varied and challenging work with scope to shape your own career in the EU institutions Excellent language learning opportunities Job security Multicultural environment Flexible working-time arrangements 15

16 Contract staff Selection procedure usually organised by EPSO Pool of applicants (= database) from which contract staff are recruited For more information, check regularly ec.europa.eu/info/jobs-europeancommission_en 16

17 Temporary staff Selection and recruitment usually run by individual EU institutions and agencies For information and vacancies, check regularly: ec.europa.eu/info/jobs-europeancommission_en 17

18 Duration: up to 5 months Two rounds per year, starting in March and October For university graduates only For EU citizens but a quota for other nationals Skills needed: ability to translate from two EU languages into your main language Monthly grant Traineeships Apply here:

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20 Muito obrigado! Go raibh maith agaibh! Kiitoksia paljon! Nuoširdžiai dėkojame! Thank you very much! Mulţumesc! Merci beaucoup! Suur tänu! Nirringrazzjawk ħafna! Grazie mille! Hartelijk dank! Ďakujeme vám veľmi pekne! Tack så mycket! Σας ευχαριστούμε πολύ! Mockrát děkujeme! Muchas gracias! Vielen Dank! Liels paldies! Mange tak! Dziękujemy za uwagę! Najlepša hvala! Köszönjük szépen! Hvala lijepa! Много Ви благодарим!