Multilingualism Day 2023 

Multilingualism Day 2023 – Programme

Multilingualism Day 2023 – Event map

Multilingualism Day is your opportunity to peek behind the scenes of the European Parliament – the world’s most multilingual parliament – and experience how it works in 24 languages. You can meet interpreters, translators and other multilingual staff, learn about their work and even set foot inside the Hemicycle where MEPs debate and vote in Brussels.

Multilingualism ensures that all EU citizens can follow the work of their democratic representatives in any of the 24 official languages. Linguistic and cultural diversity is one of the EU’s greatest strengths, it is a core value that is woven into the Treaties establishing the EU. Multilingualism Day is your chance to see this diversity in action.
 

Online workshops 

Dive deeper into interpretation and translation through interactive workshops. The online sessions will cover various aspects of working as a language professional at the European Parliament. 

Registration is mandatory as the workshops are limited to small groups. You will receive a confirmation email with the details on how to take part in the workshop shortly after registration. Sessions will last between 30 and 90 minutes and will be held in a variety of languages. Some may be recorded.
 

Registration opens on 1 September 2023. 

Event at the European Parliament in Brussels

Explore multilingualism through fun activities at the visitors’ centre in the Paul-Henri Spaak building (10:00–18:00).

Important: entrance is free and open to everyone. Please make sure to bring your ID. 
Be green, bring your reusable bottle - water fountains will be available throughout the venue
 

•    Talks with interpreters and translators

Gain more insight into interpretation and translation by sitting in on a variety of talks about the different facets of the two professions, multilingualism in general and working at the European Parliament.

Room 0C.11
All talks will be interpreted into Dutch, English, French, German and Spanish.

10:30 – 11:00    Translators, interpreters and lawyer-linguists: working with languages at the European Parliament
11:10 – 11:40    Being a translator or interpreter in the age of artificial intelligence
11:50 – 12:20    To translate or to interpret? That is the question!
12:30 – 13:15    Democracy in action in 24 languages 
Panel discussion with Valter Mavrič, Agnieszka Walter-Drop and Philipp Schulmeister, heads of the translation, interpretation and communication campaigns services of the European Parliament

14:45 – 15:15     Translators, interpreters and lawyer-linguists: working with languages at the European Parliament
15:25 – 15:55     Being a translator or interpreter in the age of artificial intelligence
16:05 – 16:35     To translate or to interpret? That is the question!

Room 0C.41
Talks without interpretation

10:45 – 11:15    How to become an interpreter
11:25 – 11:55    How to become a translator
12:05 – 12:35    Language learning: tips from the pros
12:45 – 13:15    Everyday tips and tricks for language professionals

13:30 – 14:15    Traineeships in the European Parliament’s translation and interpretation services

14:30 – 15:00    How to become an interpreter
15:10 – 15:40    How to become a translator
15:50 – 16:20    Language learning: tips from the pros
16:30 – 17:00    Everyday tips and tricks for language professionals

• Photo booth: get your Multilingualism Day souvenir.
• Audio booth: become a broadcast anchor for the day by recording the news in any of the 24 official EU languages. The audio file you record will then be edited, mixed and sent to you as an audiogram that you can share with your friends and family or on social media.
• My House of European History recording corner: take a seat and add your European story to this ever-expanding, collaborative history project.
• Temporary tattoos: show off your passion for languages and the EU with our temporary body art.
• Lingualizer: stop by to meet influencer @Lingualizer, who will be at the event to quiz visitors on their language knowledge. Don’t miss your chance to become a multilingual internet sensation.
• Europarl Radio: tune in to Europarl Radio, which will be broadcasting live from Multilingualism Day, to hear multilingual interviews with translators, interpreters and participants, as well as European music and exclusive insights from the event – wherever you are.
• Be an MEP – virtual reality experience in 24 languages: jump into virtual reality and immerse yourself in what it’s like to be a Member of the European Parliament (learn about the Digital Journey to the European Parliament).
   

• Experience the European Parliament Hemicycle (10:30–17:00): discover the room where debates and votes take place. Multilingual presentations will be held throughout the day and will include a Q&A.

           Registration in front of the Hemicycle on the fourth floor.

• Interpretation booths: try interpreting in our practice booths and get feedback from a real interpreter.
• Visit a booth: follow a guided tour of one of the interpretation booths in the Hemicycle.

           Registration is required on the fourth floor.

• Photo wall: take a photo for a chance to win a prize.
• Language games: come test your language skills with a variety of games for both young and old.
• Translation and clear language workshops in English, French, Dutch and German: try your hand at translating with our expert translators, and learn what exactly clear language is and how to use it to make your writing better. 

           Registration is required at the entrance on the ground floor (first-come, first-served basis).

• ‘Write and translate clearly for multimedia content’ workshop: discover how to adapt written texts for various mediums in a clear and accessible way, and then record your script in our professional audio booth.

           Registration is required at the entrance on the ground floor (first-come, first-served basis).