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The 'European Masters in Translation' (EMT) network of universities
will be expanded to help the European Union to respond "to a growing
shortage of properly qualified translators in the job market," the
Commission announced.
At present, the EMT network comprises 34 members, but the Commission
says nearly 250 universities and other higher education institutions
offer translation courses at present.
"In many countries, anyone can claim to be a translator without any
guarantee of professional competence. The long-term aim of the EMT
project to raise the standard of translator training," said Androulla
Vassiliou, EU commissioner for education, multilingualism, training and
youth.
To carry the EMT label, a university must have its course assessed by translation experts drawn from the existing network.
EMT courses offer students training on how to run a business as well as
translation, and over other aspects of the language industry including
interpretation, subtitling, dubbing and how to adapt translations to
local needs.
"A course carrying the EMT label is recognised as being one of the best in the field," Commissioner Vassiliou said.
The Commission, while stressing its supporting role behind EU member
states, says it regards respect for linguistic diversity as a core value
of the European Union.
It adopted a new strategy on multilingualism in September 2008 and
provides €50m a year to support language activities and projects via its
Lifelong Learning Programme.
Lack of language skills
A 2007 study
had found that of nearly 2,000 businesses, 11% had lost contracts –
often worth millions of euros – as a result of lack of language skills.
Indeed, the Commission announced yesterday that "demand for translation services across the world is soaring".
The EU executive predicts that the Union's languages industry is set to
increase its turnover by 10% annually and will be worth up to €20
billion by 2015.
Many staff in the EU institutions' languages departments are
approaching retirement but they are not being replaced at the same rate.
Moreover, the EU's requirements are so stringent that only 30% of those
applying are successful, helping to fuel the present crisis.
Concerns over an upcoming lack of Italian interpreters led the EU
institutions to launch a campaign last month in Rome to encourage young
Italian speakers to consider working for the European Union (EurActiv 24/09/10).
Similar campaigns have been launched over the last 18 months to recruit
qualified French, English, German, Italian and Dutch speakers to work
for their services (EurActiv 25/09/09; EurActiv 18/02/09).
The annual conference of the EMT network is currently taking place in Brussels (11-13 October).