The European Commission’s deputy director general of Interpretation, Carlos Alegria, recently visited the University of Malta and met students on its Master in Interpreting course.

Alegria spoke to students about what makes a good interpreter, emphasising that, in addition to languages and technique, reading in one’s own mother tongue and having a sound basis in general knowledge also form an essential part of the equation.

Referring to his own background in economics and how he started out in interpreting, he stressed that students do not necessarily need to have a first degree in languages to study interpreting.

Pro-rector Professor Godfrey Baldacchino and Prof. Joseph Eynaud, head of the Department for Translation, Terminology, and Interpreting Studies, thanked Alegria for the financial and pedagogical support that the European Commission gives to the department.

Interpreting Studies, as an area of study, combines the underlying theoretical issues involved in literary, technical, screen, legal, scientific and commercial translation, publishing, localisation and management with the practical aspects of the translation process.

The programme is of interest to all graduates whatever their future career route: commercial, legal, scientific or technical translation, literary or screen translation, localisation, research, teaching or management.

The programme caters for a wide range of students who wish to acquire a critical understanding of contemporary issues in translation alongside the practical skills required in today’s fast evolving translation industry. Versatility and employability are thus enhanced. At the end of their studies, graduates often find work as freelance or permanent translators and interpreters for EU institutions.

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