Information meeting for potential Malta-based translators for EU

An information meeting is to be held in Malta for those interested in working as translators into Maltese for the European Parliament, with the European Union institutions looking for translators and interpreters in the languages of the candidate countries, in preparation for the coming enlargement.

Although the different institutions are independent of each other and have different needs in the linguistic field, recruitment efforts will be conducted on a joint basis among them, the Delegation of the Commission of the European Communities to Malta said.

The European Parliament and European Commission's interpreting services have been building up their lists of accredited freelance interpreters in the new languages for some time and these will be pursued vigorously as enlargement approaches.

The next major initiative concerns the search for freelance translators. In this respect, the European Parliament, also on behalf of the European Commission, the European Court of Auditors, the European Economic and Social Committee, the Committee of the Regions and the Translation Centre for the bodies of the European Union, is launching a call for tenders in order to conclude framework contracts for the provision of translation services into Maltese.

In 2001, up to 30 per cent of the translation workload of the various institutions was carried out by external contractors, amounting to a total of some e30 million (Lm12.5 million). The percentage of translation work carried out by external translators is set to rise even further over the coming years.

Contracts for the provision of translation services are awarded exclusively by public calls for tender. Both individuals and organisations are eligible to apply. Translators may work only into their mother tongue and the minimum level of qualification considered acceptable is successful completion of university-level studies in any discipline.

Competitions to recruit staff translators and interpreters will be launched during 2003.

The meeting will be held in the Aula Magna of the Old University Building, St Paul Street, Valletta, on January 17 at 4 p.m. to acquaint the Maltese public with the European Parliament's requirements for translators working from their own country, and the way the system operates.

Senior officials from the translation division of the European Parliament will address the meeting and answer questions.

The meeting is open to persons who feel they can offer their services as Malta-based translators. Interested persons should possess a university degree and be able to demonstrate a very good command of at least one of the following EU languages: German, English or French.