Countdown for three new EU languages

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It's only days left for three more languages gaining official status in the EU on January 1st, when Bulgaria and Romania join the EU and Irish becomes an official language. Preparations in Bulgaria and Romania for providing linguists are well-advanced.

In order to prepare for the growing challenge, the European Commission recently adopted a strategy to guide its translation of written texts for 2007 and beyond. The strategy aims to better identify translation needs and providers, welcomeeurope.com writes.

Already in January 2006 the first contract linguists were hired to satisfy the translation needs for the new languages. Additionally some 40 linguists each for Romanian and Bulgarian are said to be hired for institutional needs, including five  translators for Irish.

Additionally over 100 freelance translators will join the pool of external linguists, who will jump in when the need arises.

According to the article, for 2007, the cost of translation in the Commission is estimated to be around EUR 302 million.  The total cost of interpretation in the EU institutions was almost EUR 190 million in 2005 and is not expected to rise with the accession of the two new member states.

The total annual cost of language services in all EU institutions is calculated with 1% of the total EU budget, representing about 1.70 Euro per EU-citizen per year.

Sources EU Directorate Genaral for Translations

welcomeeurope.com