24 languages, one Europe / Inside DG Translation

Added: 2026-05-09

[00:00:04]Every day, the EU speaks in 24 official languages. Laws, policies, agreements shaping the lives of millions of EU citizens. But before they can be applied, they must be understood. Kate Healey is an editor, but at times she feels more like a taxi driver. Texts arrive at her desk from every direction.

[00:00:24]Kate tries to strip all the jargon and unclear expressions from the texts, often written under pressure. and often highly technical.

[00:00:31]>> The English has to be perfectly clear because it's going to be used for the 23 other languages. And if there is an ambiguity in the English, that will have a snowball effect.

[00:00:43]>> As an editor, Kate prepares texts, both for translation and for the English- speakaking public.

[00:00:49]>> Once the text is ready, Kate passes it on for translation.

[00:00:53]The expression sunset clause was one of the toughest challenges this translator faced. It is a piece of industrial jargon that did not exist in Slovenian and he had to search for an equivalent.

[00:01:06]Before joining DG translation in 2007, Misho Malkovich was a medical doctor. As a result, he now specializes in scientific and medical texts.

[00:01:17]In these fields, finding the right word is never just a linguistic exercise.

[00:01:43]As a lead translator, Misho coordinates a team of 23 specialized linguists who will translate the same text simultaneously.

[00:01:51]Technology plays an essential role. But when the subject is complex, experience remains irreplaceable.

[00:01:58]As is usually the case at DG translation, Yanolof Walgrren translates into his mother tongue, Swedish.

[00:02:05]He started 25 years ago as a trainee and has never left Brussels since.

[00:02:34]That breath of knowledge is no coincidence. It is what allows EU legislation to be translated with precision. Years of translated texts opened a new door to AI.

[00:02:45]Modelina Marinku works at the intersection of language and artificial intelligence. At DG translation, experts like her develop AI based services designed for specific tasks like generating reports and summaries in multiple languages.

[00:03:17]DG translations AI based services including e translation are available to national and regional administrations academia small businesses and non-governmental organizations Um, four professionals, different roles. No EU legislation without translation. No democracy without understanding.